WO2000019027A1

WO2000019027A1 - Framework in particular for building construction

Info

Publication number: WO2000019027A1
Application number: PCT/FR1999/002320
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Muspach
Original assignee: David Muspach
Priority date: 1998-09-29
Filing date: 1999-09-29
Publication date: 2000-04-06
Also published as: FR2783851A1; FR2783851B1; AU5987999A

Abstract

The invention concerns an ultra-light framework in particular for building an ecological house with very low energy consumption. It defines the skeleton of the various main parts of a building, such as a floor (2), walls (3) a ceiling and a roof (17), and is characterised in that the skeleton of said main parts consists of several identical base section elements (1) assembled together by nodes (5) so as to form a single three-dimensional system, said nodes being designed for receiving at most eight base elements arranged in a common plane and at most four base elements arranged at least on one side of said plane and inclined at 45° relative to said plane. Moreover, the base elements (1) are arranged so as to form ducts (8) for passing through utility shafts.

Description

FRAME, ESPECIALLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING

The present invention relates to a framework, in particular for the construction of a building, defining the skeleton of different main parts of said building, such as a floor, walls, a ceiling and a roof.

Better than anyone else, nature teaches us the art of building well while being economical with raw materials. The nature that surrounds us is entirely turned towards a search for efficiency, lightness being put at the service of solidity and apparent fragility at the service of beauty. Thus, a simple spider web is diaphanous lightness but of incredible resistance.

When it comes to construction, humans have taken some time to draw inspiration from this model. For centuries prevailed the illusory principle that to build solid needed to build massive. It is only thanks to the slow progress made in the field of mathematics and that of the physics of materials that the builders have gradually freed themselves from this constraint, in order to manage to design structures that are lighter and more slender.

Curiously, one of the areas where these developments have been least applied is that of the construction of individual houses. Although the structures have been considerably lightened since the time of fortified castles, the fact remains that the principle "build massive to build solid" is hardly questioned in our time, and this in particular with regard to timber frame houses.

However, at present, frame constructions, and more particularly timber frame houses are very successful due in particular to their ecological and above all economic advantages compared to "traditional" houses. Due to the principle of "building solid to build solid", individual timber frame houses include a solid wood beam which constitutes the basic "brick" of all good framework and all good framework. However, this solid wood beam has drawbacks: rigidity, high weight, tendency to crack, high economic and ecological cost, etc. In addition, in recent years, improving insulation has always been at the center of concerns.

It is only with great resources that we manage to correctly build a floor-wall-ceiling-roof assembly while respecting the building standards which are more and more restrictive.

The removal of thermal bridges requires great efforts. Beams with large sections are heavy, expand a lot and require a lot of energy to be dried. The formation of cracks and the large expansion of large section beams severely handicap the construction of houses with low energy loss.

Glued laminated beams solve the two aforementioned problems, but the problem of the floor-wall-ceiling-roof assembly remains.

On the other hand, for each house it is necessary to establish a list of elements whose lengths and sections differ. This step is long and requires a lot of effort.

The need for good insulation when wanting to use large section beams no longer allows an ideal result to be obtained. The presence of the different beams leads to complications during the installation of the different installations (sanitary, electrical ...). An additional wall covering the installations would be an expensive solution without solving the problems at the intersections. Furthermore, the preparation and mounting of the various elements can only be done by people in the art.

The idea was therefore to develop constructions made from identical modular elements. For example, the publications FR-A-2 597 526 and FR-A-2 746 130 describe modular elements made up of two inverted pyramids assembled by means of knots according to a "particular motif. However, in the first case, the" motif is such that 45 ° openings are not possible. In addition, the nodes overlap so that the distribution of forces is not optimal. On the other hand, the modules are not made from the same basic elements since they use tubes on the one hand to make the pyramids and on the other hand vertical uprights.

In the other case. 90 ° openings to form windows or doors are not possible. The structure can therefore only be used as a frame and not to make other parts of a building, such as walls. Likewise in patent FR-A-2 159 235, the construction described relates only to frames and is not suitable for the construction of an entire house since the arrangement of the patterns does not allow openings to be made. 90 ° for doors and windows.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing frames made of ultra-light structural elements having high physical strength and which ensures the self-supporting elements between them. These frameworks allow a great saving of wood, an automated manufacture of the parts, a simple assembly without requiring knowledge or specific materials. The frames according to the invention can be presented in the form of a ready-to-assemble assembly, hence easy transport to the site.

For this purpose. the invention relates to a frame of the kind indicated in the preamble. characterized in that the skeleton of at least one of said main parts consists of several basic elements of identical section assembled by means of nodes so as to form a three-dimensional network, said nodes being arranged to receive at most eight basic elements arranged in the same plane and at most four basic elements arranged at least on one side of said plane and inclined by 45 ° with respect to this plan. In addition, the node can be arranged to receive at most four basic elements arranged on the other side of said plane and inclined by 45 ° relative to this plane.

Preferably, all the main parts of the building are made from the same three-dimensional network. Thus, there is no longer any separation between said main parts. There is therefore no longer, for example, a problem of cracks at the junction of the different parts.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the basic elements are arranged so as to form channels for the passage of technical sheaths, said channels having a prismatic shape of triangular section and parallel directions.

In a particularly simple way, the section of the basic elements is chosen from square, round, hexagonal or octagonal shapes.

Advantageously, the basic elements have at each of their ends a longitudinal groove, used for assembly with a knot, comprising a base arranged to receive at most eight basic elements, at most four branches arranged at right angles with respect to each other and perpendicular to one face of the base, and at most four branches arranged at right angles to each other and perpendicular to the other face of the base, the base and the branches being arranged to fit together in the antlers provided on the basic elements.

To this end, the branches of said node and the basic elements may have corresponding holes for receiving fixing means. The base can have the shape of an eight-pointed star or be circular. It may have in its center a hollow tube, the four branches then being arranged on the same side around said hollow tube.

Preferably, the branch of the node has a lower recess making it possible to receive the end of the underlying base element assembled on the base.

To complete the construction, the skeleton is covered with an interior and exterior coating. Finally, the empty spaces created inside the skeleton are filled with insulating materials.

The present invention and its advantages will appear more clearly in the following description of several exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure la and lb show a partial perspective view of a frame according to the invention. Figure 2 is a view of ^Z of a part of a main element, Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of a main element, - Figure 4 shows a node according to the invention, Figure 5 is an exploded view of the node of FIG. 4, FIGS. 6 and 7 represent basic elements according to the invention, FIGS. 8 and 9 represent the different stages of mounting certain basic elements according to the invention, - FIG. 10 represents basic elements mounted on a node according to the invention, FIG. 11 represents another construction produced with a frame according to the invention, FIG. 12 represents another node according to the invention. - Figure 13 shows other forms of basic elements according to the invention. Figure 14 shows an assembly of these elements, Figure 15 is a sectional view of an assembly according to the invention, and Figures 16 and 17 show other forms of nodes.

With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the framework 10 according to the invention corresponds to the skeleton of a building, such as a dwelling house, which comprises the various main parts that are found in all constructions, with namely a floor 2, walls 3, a ceiling (not shown) and a roof 17. More specifically with reference to Figures 2 and 3, the skeleton of all of these main parts is produced by assembling several elements to each other base 1, the by means of nodes 5 so as to form a three-dimensional network, the nodes being arranged to receive at most eight basic elements 1, the arranged on the same plane and at most four basic elements arranged at least on the same side of said plane and inclined by 45 ° relative to this plane. Four basic elements can also be provided on the other side of this plan.

More specifically, each main part has an upper plate 6 and a lower plate 6 'which are parallel to each other and formed by basic elements 1 arranged in squares 7. 7' whose sides are parallel in pairs, the squares 7, 7 ' being offset from each other so that the corner of a square 7 of the tray 6 corresponds to the center of a square 7 'of the tray 6'.

Between the two plates 6, 6 'are arranged basic elements 1 so as to form a three-dimensional network. For example, from each corner of a square 7, four basic elements 1 leave in the direction of the four corners of a square 7 so as to obtain a regular pyramid having the square 7 'as a base and the corner of the square 7 as its apex. There are thus obtained between the two plates 6, 6 ′ in two perpendicular directions parallel rows of regular pyramids which form between them and inside themselves channels 8 of prismatic shape of triangular section. These channels 8 are arranged head to tail parallel to each other along the two perpendicular directions of the sides of the squares 7, 7 '. These channels 8 can advantageously constitute passages for technical sheaths. To complete the main part, it is arranged only three basic elements starting from the corner of a square 7. To complete this structure, two basic elements l '(not shown in Figures 2 and 3) are arranged perpendicularly l 'to each other along the diagonals of each square 7, 7. These basic elements l' which are arranged in the diagonals of the squares 7, 7 are shown in Figures la, lb. For better readability of the drawings, only the basic elements 1 constituting the sides of the squares 7, 7 have been shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The three-dimensional network formed for a main part is continued to form another main part. Thus, the frame 10 according to the invention consists of a single piece. There is no separation between the different main parts. The wall 3 for example is produced by extending the floor 2 upwards in a perpendicular direction. For this, the corners of the last squares 7 are made, but upwards with respect to the above embodiment, three basic elements 1 to reconstitute two vertical plates between which regular pyramids are formed. The network is continued in the same way between the wall 3, the floor and the roof 17.

As shown in FIG. 1b, basic elements V are used to make the roof 17, the length of which is equal to that of the basic elements 1a arranged in the diagonals of the squares 7, 7.

Patterns may not be formed in the network to leave spaces for windows 9, doors, stairs 11, etc. Due to the arrangement of the basic elements 1, the at right angles and at 45 °, the empty spaces can be produced either along the same axes as the walls for example, or rotated by 45 °. As shown in FIG. 6, the basic elements 1, l ′ are of rectangular shape and of square section. The basic element l 'used for the roof 17 is obviously longer than the basic element 1 for making the sides of the squares 7, 7 since the basic elements l' are the same length as those used in the diagonals said squares 7, 7. These basic elements are also used for example to stop the network in order to complete a main element or to form openings.

The basic elements l 'arranged in the diagonals of the squares 7, 7 have a particular construction so as to form a cross which constitutes the diagonals of the squares 7, 7. For this, and with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, the element base la comprises in its center a notch 19 on each of its lower and upper faces. The basic elements lb constitute halves of basic element taken in the longitudinal axis and also have in their center a notch 19. Thus, the basic element la fits between two basic elements lb so as to form a cross, the intersection of the elements la and lb corresponding to the center of the squares 7, 7.

The basic elements 1,1 'have at each of their ends a longitudinal groove 13 having a certain depth. At the level of this groove 13 are provided holes 14 for receiving fixing means, such as screws (not shown).

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the node 5 comprises a star-shaped base with eight branches 5a as well as four branches 5b, 5c arranged on the same side perpendicularly to each other and to the base 5 a . The branches 5b and 5c are arranged so that the basic elements 1. l 'fixed on these branches are inclined at an angle of 45 ° relative to the base 5a. The nodes 5 are placed at the four corners of the squares 7. 7 and the branches 5a. 5b. 5c each have a different direction to constitute the three-dimensional network according to the invention. The eight branches 5a of the base are in the same plane to constitute the starting point of four squares 7, 7, and four diagonals, and the four branches 5b, 5c constitute the starting point of the four edges of the regular pyramids arranged between the panels 6, 6 '.

The node 5 can be made of steel, by cutting. As shown in Figure 5. the two branches 5b and the two branches 5c can respectively form a single piece. The branches 5b and 5c each have a notch 15 for fitting one on the other. The branches 5b and 5c have substantially the shape of a V with a lower recess so that one can easily place the underlying base element assembled on the base. The base comprising the branches 5a comprises in its center a cross-shaped groove 18 to receive the branches 5b and 5c. The branches 5a, 5b, 5c have a thickness slightly less than the groove 13 of the basic elements 1, l 'so that the branches 5a, 5b, 5c are inserted in the grooves 13 so as to assemble the basic elements 1, the on the node 5 as shown in Figure 10. The branches 5a, 5b, 5c have at their free end holes 16 corresponding to the holes 14 of the basic elements 1. the for receiving fixing means. Then the remaining free end of the basic elements 1. the is assembled at the next node 5.

According to another variant shown in Figures 12 to 14. the node 50 comprises a circular base 50a on which are provided eight holes 56 distributed regularly to receive the means for fixing eight basic elements. 1, the assembly by inserting the base 50a in the grooves 53. In the center of the base 50a is fixed a hollow tube 51 serving for the passage of technical sheaths, such as telephone, television or air duct cables, gas, liquids, etc. (see fig. 15). This construction makes it possible, for example, to bring the electric power supply 59 for the lighting 61 directly into a room or a water supply for the sprinkler nozzles of the fire safety systems. The node 50 then does not have for only role to assemble the basic elements 1, l 'but it also performs other functions. It thus facilitates the installation work necessary during the construction of a building. This node 50 can be used only in certain places of the building, the other forms of node can be used in the places where it is not necessary to provide an electrical or other installation.

The node 50 also includes four branches 50b to 50d arranged perpendicularly to each other around the hollow tube 51 and relative to the base 50a. The branches 50b to 50d have the shape of a partial quarter of a circle, a hole 57 for receiving the means for fixing a basic element being provided on the branch 50b to 50d at an angle of 45 ° relative to the base 50a . The branches 50b to 50d have a lower recess 58 making it possible to receive the basic element 1, the underlying assembled on the base 50a as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

In this variant, the basic element 1, l ′ has an octagonal section, and its end is in the shape of a point at 45 ° (cf. FIG. 13). This shape is particularly advantageous since it saves wood and reduces the size of the knots, the ends of basic elements 1. the juxtaposing each other. The node 50 is made of chrome.

FIG. 16 represents another form of knot 60 which comprises a circular base 60a on which eight holes 66 are provided, distributed regularly. The node 60 also comprises four branches 60b and 60c which are each made in one piece in the form of a fan. The branches 60b and 60c each have a notch 65 for fitting one on the other. The base 60a comprises in its center a cross-shaped groove 68 to receive the branches 60b and 60c.

FIG. 17 represents an assembly with a "complete" node 70. that is to say arranged to receive sixteen basic elements 1. 1 '. In that case. node 70 includes the base 70a. four branches 70b to 70d arranged on the same side with respect to the base 70a, and four other branches 70e to 70h arranged on the other side of the base 70a, so as to be able to have on both sides of the base 70a twice four basic elements 1, inclined at 45 ° relative to the base 70a. Such a knot is used for example to double or multiply the thickness of the walls, the floor or the ceiling. The arrangement of the nodes 70 is such that the forces are exerted and distributed over all the nodes and on all the levels. Thus, large areas can be created without the need for load-bearing walls in the center of the room. The density of the network formed is such that it is possible to use basic elements of small section.

The frame 10 according to the invention is entirely mounted in this way by assembling the basic elements 1, the at nodes 5 or 50. A person who is not a man of the construction trade can thus easily mount his home, since the basic elements as well as the nodes are delivered ready to assemble. Once the frame is fully assembled, the technical ducts for the electrical installation, the sanitary facilities and the heating are mounted in the channels 8 created or in the hollow tubes 51. It is therefore no longer necessary to provide specific arrangements to integrate these sheaths or to make grooves in the walls which must subsequently be filled. The installation of technical ducts in the frame is done very quickly in a single intervention. Then, the skeleton is covered by an interior and exterior coating. Several choices of interior and exterior coating are possible. Of course you must respect the rules of the art of construction. The covering does not have to participate in the construction statics. The coverings are directly mounted on the skeleton. No battening is necessary.

Finally, the empty spaces created inside the skeleton are filled with insulating materials such as cellulose by the blowing technique. The various basic elements of the structure hold the cellulose in place. There is no more operation tedious to fill the hollow elements. All the technical ducts of the electrical and sanitary installations are optimally insulated thanks to the presence of cellulose which surrounds them perfectly. In addition, they are far enough from the surface coating to be well protected. ~

Thanks to this construction, the house obtained is characterized by very low energy consumption. In the future, a computer will be able to manage the distribution of energy within the house. Such a frame is self-supporting and has great stability. It is in particular earthquake resistant and resists cyclones. It also exhibits very good behavior for the distribution of forces. This allows, as in a reinforced concrete construction, to make openings in walls, ceilings and roofs. In the event of failure of a basic element, the forces are distributed over the neighboring basic elements. As the three-dimensional network which constitutes it forms a single piece and there is no separation between the main parts, there are no problems of assembly, insulation, expansion or cracks, problems that is frequently encountered in traditional constructions. In addition, there is no need to change materials or construction techniques between floors, walls, ceilings and roofs.

The basic and reinforcement elements used have a small section compared to the beams traditionally used. This brings in particular the advantages of eliminating woodworking. The dimensions therefore do not vary. In addition, the basic elements being short and of small sections, it is therefore easy to obtain elements devoid of any defect (knot, crack, etc.). The elements are therefore of first quality. The nominal stresses are therefore 15% higher compared to second choice elements.

On the other hand, the small number of basic elements (elements composing the cross. Simple basic element, knot) are manufactured in advance and delivered upon order. The basic elements can have a cross section comprised within a certain interval, for example from 24 mm to 40 mm, while being able to be assembled by means of the same knot. The thickness of the knots can also vary, for example between 1.5 mm and 2 mm. All the parts being simple, the assembly of the network can be done by unskilled labor.

The frame according to the invention is preferably made of wood, such as fir or beech. It is a light construction (about 10 kg / m ² ) because it only consumes 5.5% of wood. It can therefore be easily transported, for example by helicopter, to be placed in inaccessible places. Similarly, the parts being loaded and delivered on pallets, all of the parts before assembly are compact compared to traditional constructions.

Finally, the three-dimensional network created also serving as the basis for the various installations (sanitary, electrical, etc.), this has the advantage of allowing the installation of various technical sheaths and cables within this network itself. This work can be done in a single intervention.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but extends to any modification and variant obvious to a person skilled in the art. In particular, this type of three-dimensional construction can be used to make only a few building elements or platforms, as shown in FIG. 11. On the other hand, it is quite obvious that to make the corners of a building, partial nodes are used, that is to say nodes with only two branches and whose base has for example the shape of a semicircle or a quarter of a circle.

Claims

claims

1. Framework (10), in particular for the construction of a building, defining the skeleton of different main parts of said building, such as a floor -), walls (3), a ceiling and a roof (17), characterized in that the skeleton of at least one of said main parts consists of several basic elements (1, 1 ') of identical section assembled by means of nodes (5, 50, 60, 70) so as to form a network three-dimensional, said nodes being arranged to receive at most eight basic elements (1, l ') arranged in the same plane and at most four basic elements (1, l') arranged at least on one side of said plane and inclined by 45 ° from this plane.

2. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the node (70) is arranged to receive at most four basic elements (1, l ') arranged on the other side of said plane and inclined by 45 ° relative to this plan.

3. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that all the main parts (2, 3, 17) of the building are produced from the same three-dimensional network.

4. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic elements (1) are arranged so as to form channels (8) for the passage of technical sheaths.

5. Frame according to claim 4, characterized in that said channels (8) have a prismatic shape of triangular section and have parallel directions.

6. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the section of the basic elements (1, l ') is chosen from square, round, hexagonal or octagonal shapes.

7. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that the basic elements (1, 1 ') have at each of their ends a longitudinal groove (13).

8. Framework according to claim 7, characterized in that said node (5, 50, 60, 70) comprises a base (5a. 50a. 60a, 70a) arranged to receive at most eight basic elements (1, l ') , at most four branches (5b, 5c, 50b to 50d, 60b, 60c, 70b to 70d) arranged at right angles to each other and perpendicular to one face of the base (5a. 50a), and at most four branches (70e to 70 h) arranged at right angles to each other and perpendicular to the other face of the base (70a), the base and the branches being arranged to fit into the grooves (13) provided on the elements basic (1, the).

9. Frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the base (5a, 50a, 60a, 70a), the branches (5b, 5c, 50b to 50d, 60b, 60c, 70b to 70h) of the node (5, 50, 60, 70) and the basic elements (1, l ') have corresponding holes (14, 16, 56, 57, 66) for receiving fixing means.

10. Frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the base has the shape of an eight-pointed star (5a).

11. Frame according to claim 8. characterized in that the base (50a. 70a) is circular and has in its center a hollow tube (51), the four branches on the same side (50b to 50d. 70b to 70d, 70e to 70h) being arranged around said hollow tube (51).

12. Frame according to claim 8, characterized in that the branch of the node (5,

50, 60, 70) has a lower recess for receiving the end of the underlying base element (1, l ') assembled on the base (5a, 50a. 60a. 70a).

13. Frame according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the empty spaces created inside the skeleton are filled with insulating materials.