WO2007106923A1

WO2007106923A1 - A structural assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2007106923A1
Application number: PCT/AU2006/000370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aldo Bevacqua
Original assignee: Aldo Bevacqua
Priority date: 2006-03-20
Filing date: 2006-03-20
Publication date: 2007-09-27

Abstract

An assembly (11) including a metal structural member (16,17,18,19) having a lipped flange (35), a metal frame member (20) connectable at one end thereof to the structural member (16,17,18,19) by means of a connector (26) located at said end, the frame member (20) having a web (21) and a flange (22) extending therefrom, wherein the flange (22) terminates short of said end such that when the members are connected the flange (22) of the frame member (20) is adjacent to the lip (35) of the structural member (16,17,18,19) and may dissipate energy from stress such as earthquake.

Description

A STRUCTURAL ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an assembly including a metal structural member connectabie to a metal frame member for use in the construction of buildings. In particular, the present invention is directed towards an elevated floor structure for a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described with particular reference to an assembly in the form of an elevated floor structure of a modular building. A particular application of such an assembly is in the construction of a building capable of withstanding forces generated during severe storms, cyclones, earthquakes and the like. However, it will be appreciated that the assembly of the present invention may be used in any suitable application and no limitation is intended thereby.

A column supported elevated base structure for a building has been previously described by the present inventor in Australian Patent No 593917. This patent describes an elevated floor structure for use in the building of prefabricated buildings such as kit homes. An advantage of this structure is that it enables a building to be constructed without individual fitting of components and without requiring laying of a perfectly flat floor slab. The structure achieves this by providing adjustable telescopic post assemblies having an adjustable supporting foot with at least three screw adjustors and floor mounting brackets. The floor mounting brackets support wooden beams to which wooden floor joists are attached in conventional manner. An advantage of using wood in this construction is that the natural flexibility of wood and nailed joints wood may dissipate energy and motion imparted when the building is being subjected to stresses experienced during an earthquake, cyclone and the like. Steel framed buildings are well known. One recognized advantage of steel frame buildings is their termite resistance. Conventional methods of joining steel frame members include self drilling screws, welding and the use of connecting brackets such as angle brackets. It will be appreciated that neither the steel members nor the above methods of connection have sufficient flexibility to dissipate energy as describe above with respect to wood and nailed joints.

Thus, it is desirable to be able to provide an assembly that may be used in the construction of steel framed houses and in particular, which may be used in association with a building system as described in AU593917.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first broad form of the invention there is provided an assembly including; a metal structural member having a lipped flange; a metal frame member connectable at one end thereof to the structural member by means of a connector located at said end, the frame member having a web and a flange extending therefrom, wherein the flange terminates short of said end such that when the members are connected, the flange of the frame member is adjacent the lip of the structural member.

The structural and frame members are typically in the form of extruded metal sections.

The structural member is typically a bearer and the frame member is typically a joist and in particular, a floor joist.

The structural member has a lipped flange. Typically, the structural member has a C shaped cross section with an upper and lower flange connected by a web. Typically both flanges have a lip. Alternatively, the structural member may be in the form of an I beam. In this case, one or more frame members may be connected to one or both sides of the beam.

The frame member has a web and a flange. Typically, the flange has a lip. Typically, the frame member has two lipped flanges connected to the web.

The connector is typically in the form of a connecting plate that is suitably welded to the end of the frame member. Alternatively, the connector may be in the form of a connector bracket having one arm attached to the web of the frame member and the other arm for connection to the structural member.

Typically, the connector and the structural member are provided with pre-drilled holes which, in use, receive connecting bolts. Typically, the pre- drilled holes are larger than the bolts to allow for flexibility and movement of the connection when it is subjected to forces experienced during an earthquake or cyclone. Generally the frame member has a connector located at each end thereof.

The frame member has a flange that terminates short of the end of the frame member so that when the members are connected, the lip of the flange of the structural member is adjacent the flange of the frame member. Typically, the flange is an upper flange. The frame member may also have two flanges, both of which terminate short of the end thereof. In this case, both flanges are adjacent to respective upper and lower lips of the structural member.

It will be appreciated that although the lip and flange are adjacent, they do not necessarily need to contact each other. The lip and flange do however need to be sufficiently close such that contact may occur when the assembly is subjected to forces and stresses of the type experienced during an earthquake, cyclone or the like. Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed when the assembly is subjected to forces as a result of earthquake, cyclone or the like such contact between the lip and the flange allows at least some energy to be dissipated from and/or to the respective members.

The assembly of the present invention is preferably incorporated in a flooring system that includes a supporting post assembly similar to that describe above, wherein the post assembly includes a floor mounting bracket having flanges. However, for the purposes of the present invention, the flanges are adapted to receive ends of the structural member of the assembly of the invention and be connected thereto. Typically the bracket flanges and ends of the structural members having mating holes for a bolted connection.

The present invention also relates to an improvement over the support assembly described in AU593917. The support assembly of AU593917 has a post assembly having a foot portion with at least three screw adjustors such that both the height and the inclination of the post may be adjusted. In practice, adjusting the at least three adjusters was time consuming and not always practical as the adjusters were located in a hole in the ground. The present inventor has now developed a support assembly whereby the foot portion of the post assembly has a single screw adjustor to enable fine height adjustment. Adjustment of the inclination of the post assemblies is achieved by means of an adjustable cross brace assembly extending between adjacent post assemblies. The cross brace assembly is adjustable by means of including at least one brace arm having a screw adjustment portion.

According to a further broad form of the invention, there is provided a support assembly for an elevated base structure for a building, the assembly including a plurality of post assemblies, each assembly having a post portion and a foot portion having a single screw adjustor extending therefrom for adjusting the height of the post portion and a brace assembly extending between at least one pair of post assemblies, the brace assembly including at least one brace arm having a screw adjustment portion for adjusting the inclination of a post assembly braced thereby. The screw adjustment portion is typically in the form of a threaded end of the brace arm. One or both ends may be threaded. Preferably, the brace assembly is a cross brace assembly having four arms, each arm joined at one end to a respective post and a second end threadably connected to a connector. Typically, the connector is a ring.

Whilst it is preferred that the support assembly is used together with the assembly of the first broad form of the invention, it will be appreciated that the support assembly may find other applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a preferred assembly of the present invention in the form of an elevated floor structure; Figure 2 is an assembled view of the structure of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an assembled floor structure of a further preferred form of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a rear view of preferred frame member of the present invention in the form of a floor joist as used in the structure of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 5 is an end view of the floor joist of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a section through B-B of the floor joist of Figure 3;

Figure 7 shows a rear view of a preferred structural member of the present invention in the form of a floor bearer as used in the structure of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 8 shows a side view of the connection between the outer end of a floor joist shown in Figure 4 and the floor bearer shown in Figure 7,

Figure 9 shows a side view of the connection between the inner ends of two floor joists as shown in Figure 4 and two r bearers as used in the structure of Figures 1 to 3; Figure 10 shows a further side view of the connection between an outer end of the floor joist shown in Figure 3 and the floor bearer shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 shows a rear view of preferred frame member of the present invention in the form of a floor joist; Figure 12 is an end view of the floor joist shown in Figure 11 ; Figure 13 shows a rear view of a preferred structural member of the present invention in the form of a floor bearer;

Figure 14 is a cross section of the bearer shown in Figure 13; Figure 15 shows a lower section of a comer post assembly as used in the structure shown in Figure 3;

Figure 16 a first side view of the upper section of the post assembly of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a second side view of the upper section of the post assembly of Figure 15;

Figure 18 is a top view of the post assembly of Figures 15 to 17; Figure 19 shows the post assembly shown in Figures 15 to 18 together with a brace assembly; and

Figure 20 shows two further preferred post assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure shows an exploded view of an elevated floor structure 11. The floor structure 11 includes a support assembly having four corner post assemblies 12. Each post assembly 12 is crossbraced with braces 8. Each brace 8 has a connector 7 at each end. The connector 7 is bolted to bracket 6 on post assembly 7. The post assemblies and joists will be described in more detail below.

The post assemblies also support roof purloins 9.

The floor structure 11 is arranged in a square grid pattern defined by bearers 16, 17, 18, 19. Each bearer is supported at each end thereof by a respective post assembly. Floor joists 20 extend between the bearers at regular intervals.

Figure 2 shows an assembled modular building having the elevated floor structure shown in figure 1. Figure 3 shows a further elevated floor structure. The floor structure is composed of four grids of joists 20, each grid defined by bearers. In addition to the corner post assemblies 12, this structure includes intermediate post assemblies 13 and a central post assembly 14.

Figure 4 shows a floor joist 20. The floor joist 20 has a rectangular C shaped cross section formed by a web 21 and upper 22 and lower 23 lipped flanges. The upper flange 22 terminates short of each end 24, 25 of the joist 20.

A rectangular end plate 26 is welded to each end 24, 25 of joist 20. Each end plate 26 has a pair of pre-drilled holes 27. The upper edge 28 of the end plate 26 terminates at a point co-linear with the bottom edge of the lip 29 extending from upper flange 22.

Figure 5 shows is the view of end 24. Figure 6 shows a section through B-B.

Figure 7 shows a rear view of a bearer 16. The bearer 16 has a rectangular C shaped cross section formed by a web 30 and upper 31 and lower 32 lipped flanges. The bearer 16 has a series of spaced pairs of pre- drilled holes 34 and a pair of more widely spaced pre-drilled holes 33 located at each end thereof. The holes 34 are spaced to align with the holes 27 in the end plate 26 to allow the end plate 26 to be bolted to the bearer 16. Holes 33 are spaced to correspondence to holes in the bracket flanges as discussed with reference to Figures 11 and 12 below.

Figures 8 to 10 show cross sections of the connection of a floor joist 20 with bearers 16, 19. It may be seen that the web 21 of the joist 20 is narrower or shorter than the web 30 of the bearer such that the lower flange 23 of the joist 20 is spaced from the lower flange 32 of the bearer. On the other hand it may be seen that the upper flanges 22 of the joist abut the lip 35 of the bearer. Figure 9 shows two bearers 19 placed back to back and are bolted together.

When the joist 20 is being connected to a bearer 19, the joist 20 is placed against the web 20 of a bearer such that the respective holes 34 in the web 30 of the bearer 19 and end plate 26 align. The end plate 26 is then bolted to the web 30 of the bearer. As the bolts are being tightened it will be appreciated that this draws the lip 35 of the bearer and the end of the flange

22 of the joist 20 closer together. With further tightening, the lip 35 and flange 22 may be tightly held together.

Figure 11 shows a further preferred floor joist 60 for use in the present invention. The floor joist 60 has a rectangular C shaped cross section formed by a web 61 and upper 62 and lower 63 lipped flanges. Each flange 62, 63 terminates short of each end 64, 65 of the joist 60.

A rectangular end plate 66 (seen in Figure 12) is welded to each end 64, 65 of joist 60. Each end plate 66 has a pair of pre-drilled holes 67. The edges 68 of the end plate 66 terminates at a point co-linear with the bottom edge of the lips 69, 70 extending from upper and lower flanges 62, 63.

Figures 13 and 14 show a rear view of a further preferred bearer 80. The bearer 80 is similar to that shown in Figure 7. Pre-drilled holes 84 are spaced to align with the holes 67 in the end plate 66 connected to joist 60 to allow the end plate 66 to be bolted to the bearer 60. Holes 33 are spaced to correspond to holes in the bracket flanges as discussed with reference to Figures 15 and 18 below.

Figures 15 to 18 shows a corner post assembly 12. The post assembly 12 includes a lower section 51 having a foot portion 52. The lower section is shown in Figure 10. The foot portion 52 includes a rod 53 threadingly engaged with the lower section to allow fine vertical adjustment of the overall height of the post assembly 12. The lower section 51 has an upper part with a number of holes 54.

The post assembly 12 also includes an upper section 55 as shown in Figures 16 and 17. The lower end of the upper section 55 has a pair of holes

54a. In use the lower section 51 is received telescopically by the upper end of the lower section 51 and the two sections may be adjustably connected by insertion of pins (not shown) through mating holes. The overall height of the post assembly may be coarsely adjusted by selecting which hole 54 to insert the pin.

The upper section 55 has two floor brackets in the form of radially extending flanges 56. The flanges 56 have pre-drilled holes 57. The ends of bearers receive the flanges and the bearer and flange are bolted together through their respective pre-drilled holes.

The intermediate post assembly 13 is similar to the corner post assembly, except that there are three bracket flanges forming a T shape in plan view.

Figure 19 shows the post assembly 12 and a cross brace assembly 71 attached thereto and which connects the assembly 12 to an adjacent assembly (not shown). The cross brace assembly 71 includes four threaded rods 72 arranged in a cross. Each rod is attached at one end to the post by a U shaped bracket 73. The other end of each rod is threadably engaged with a ring 74. The provision of the threaded rods enables fine adjustments to be made to the inclination of the posts to plumbness prior to pouring of the concrete footing 75. The hole 76 in the ground which receives foot portion 52 has a sand bed 77 and a precast concrete pad 78 for supporting foot portion 52.

Figure 20 shows perspective views of further preferred corner 12 and intermediate 13 post assemblies. It may be seen that these assemblies have roof brackets in the form of radially extending flanges. The flanges have pre- drilled holes for connection to a roof purloin as shown in figure 1.

In order to construct the assembly of Figure 3, the post assemblies of one grid are placed in holes 65 of a ground surface. The height of the post assemblies are adjusted such that the floor brackets are at the same height. The floor bearers 16, 17, 18, 19 are then bolted to the flanges 56 of the floor brackets. If necessary, a further adjustment may be made to plumbness by adjusting the threaded foot portion and/or threaded cross bracing rods.

The floor joists 20 are then put in place by bolting the end plates 26 to the webs 30 of the bearers. Typically, this is done prior to pouring the concreting footings such that final adjustments may be made with respect to levels and plumbness if desired or necessary.

Construction is continued by completing an adjacent grid in a similar manner except that the inner bearers are bolted to the inner bearers of the first grid rather than being bolted to the flanges of the floor brackets.

It may be seen that the assembly of the present invention enables a metal frame member to be connected to a structural member such the lip of the structural member lies closely or contacts the flange of the frame member. Whilst not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this contact or close contact and inherent flexibility in the flange and lip allows forces generated during seismic events or heavy winds to be at least partially dissipated. Such dissipation is not possible with conventional methods of connecting metal structural and frame members.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention as described herein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

1. An assembly including; a metal structural member having a lipped flange; a metal frame member connectable at one end thereof to the structural member by means of a connector located at said end, the frame member having a web and a flange extending therefrom, wherein the flange terminates short of said end such that when the members are connected, the flange of the frame member is adjacent the lip of the structural member.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the structural member has upper and lower lipped flanges connected by a web.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the connector is a connecting plate which is connectable to the web of the structural member.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the connecting plate is welded to the end of the frame member.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the connecting plate and web of the structural member have pre-drilled holes for receiving connecting bolts.

6. The assembly of claim wherein the flange of the frame member has a lip.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame member has upper and lower flanges.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein each flange terminates short of said end.

9. The assembly of claim 1 further including at least one support post assembly having a foot portion and a post portion and the post portion has at least one flange extending therefrom for connection with an end of a structural member.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein each foot portion has a single screw adjustor for adjusting the height of the post assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 9 which includes at least one pair of support post assemblies and a brace assembly extending between said support post assemblies, the brace assembly including at least one brace arm having a screw adjustment portion for adjusting the inclination of a post assembly braced thereby.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the screw adjustment portion is in the form of a threaded end of the brace arm.

13. The assembly of claim 12 having two pairs of brace arms and a connector, each pair of arms being joined at their respective ends to a post assembly and the other respective ends are threadably connected to the connector.

14. An elevated floor assembly including the assembly claim 8.

15. A building including the elevated floor assembly of claim 14