WO2009005450A1

WO2009005450A1 - Fixing system

Info

Publication number: WO2009005450A1
Application number: PCT/SE2008/050748
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bengt Johansson
Original assignee: Peab Pgs Ab
Priority date: 2007-06-29
Filing date: 2008-06-23
Publication date: 2009-01-08
Also published as: SE532375C2; SE0701581L

Abstract

A fixing device (200); comprising a coupling apparatus (119), such as a dowel (19), for fixing a construction element (11) stacked on top, and the fixing device (200) is arranged for fixing floor structure elements (13) in the horizontal direction.

Description

Fixing system

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a fixing system for a multistorey building and to a method of coupling various construction elements of a multistorey building in a modular system, the construction elements with external measurements being factory produced. The construction elements comprise fixing devices and fixing elements for coupling to one another. The fixing devices have a mutual relative spacing in the respective construction element, based on a modular measure. Likewise, the fixing elements of certain construction elements have a mutual relative spacing based on the same modular measure, wherein the whole of the multistorey building is constructed on the basis of this modular measure.

The invention relates especially to the construction industry.

BACKGROUND ART

It is currently known to build multistorey buildings by means of prefabricated construction elements according to a modular system.

One way is to factory-produce structural wall elements and floor structure elements before they are transported to the construction site, wherein the construction elements are produced with good accuracy but wherein the construction elements must still be adjusted on the construction site by means of extra welded-on plates, etc. due to the fact that each storey must be adjusted to the below-constructed storeys. Likewise, construction elements such as floor structures, are adjusted in the horizontal plane for each storey, so that the external measurements of the multistorey building conform to the constructional drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, in schematic representation:

fig. Ia-Ih show an example of the construction of a multistorey building comprising load-bearing internal walls and bathroom modules in perspective view; fig. 100 shows construction elements comprising fixing devices and fixing elements; fig. 101 shows a section of one of the storeys of the multistorey building under construction, from above; fig. 102a shows a part-segment of the storey in fig. 101, showing four fixing devices (200) disposed on the coupling apparatus (119), on either side of the spacer tube (121) with which the coupling apparatus (119) couples together four different floor structure elements; fig. 102b shows a coupling element; fig. 103 and 104 show the principle for coupling together the construction elements, starting from a plumb line realized in respect of the multistorey building; fig. 200 shows a coupling apparatus (119) of structural internal wall elements (11), wherein the coupling apparatus comprises a fixing device (200) comprising guide plates for guiding in place floor structure elements. Each fixing device of the respective supporting element guides in place and fixes construction elements on the basis of a limited number of realized plumb lines in the multistorey building under construction; fig. 201 shows a guide dowel (19) which is disposed on the plate (122) of the fixing device and is intended to be received by a recess (125) in the bottom side of another internal wall element (13) which is placed on top; fig. 300 shows an edge beam (15) of the multistorey building, the edge beam comprising cutouts for guiding the edge beam relative to the below-described plumb line through the coupling together of the floor structure elements one to another via fixing elements (100) (such as stud shear connectors) and coupling elements (302), as well as via fixing elements (100) (preferably a stud shear connector) and a fixing device (such as a guide plate 201) of the respective structural internal wall element (each internal wall element has its fixing device with cutouts at a predetermined distance apart, defined on the basis of the modular measure); fig. 301 shows the principle of how the floor structure elements with fixing elements (100) are guided into place in the horizontal plane by means of fixing devices (200) and coupling elements (302) relative to a realized plumb line. The plumb line is realized using a vertical supporting element, preferably arranged as a load-bearing straight post accommodated in an internal wall element on which a similar internal wall element can be stacked, wherein the supporting elements stacked one upon the other form the plumb line; fig. 400 shows the principle of a fixing device; fig. 500 shows the prior art; and fig. 600 shows the principle for fixing devices in the construction of a multistorey building.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described by way of illustrative embodiments. For the sake of clarity, components of no importance to the invention have been omitted from the drawing. The same details shown in a number of figures may in certain cases have no reference symbol, yet can correspond to those which do have a reference symbol.

Fig. Ia-Ih show an example of the construction of a multistorey building 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. Ia illustrates how a foundation plate 3 has been constructed with recesses 5 containing fastening plates for coupling members 7 for pillars 8 in the gables 9 of the building 1. Likewise, recesses 5 have been made in the foundation plate 3 for structural internal wall elements 11 (see fig. Id). The pillars 8 and the internal wall elements 11 are intended to support above-situated floor structure elements 13 (see fig. If) enclosed by an edge beam 15 (see fig. Ie). The edge beam 15 is made of cold-bent plate of 12 mm thickness. A frame edge portion 17 (see fig. Ig) is defined by the peripheral region of a building frame 18 in the building, which peripheral region supports the edge beam 15 enclosing the floor structure elements 13, 13', that is to say the frame edge portion 17 supports the floor structure elements 13, 13' of the building 1 and comprises the pillars 8 supporting floor structure elements 13.

Fig. Ib illustrates how a guide dowel 19 has been applied to the fastening plates, and in fig. Ic the pillars 8 have also been fitted along the gable ends of the foundation plate 3.

The structural internal wall elements 11 are shown in fig. Id mounted upright with their lower edges furnished with recesses for fitting into the guide dowels 19. The guide dowels 19 have one and the same dimension, both for the internal wall elements 11 and for the pillars 8. After this, the edge beam 15 for the floor structure elements 13 is laid out and fastened to the frame edge portion 17, as is shown in fig. Ie.

In fig. Ia-Ic is shown a recess 20 realized in the foundation plate 3. The recess comprises a guide dowel 22 (of the same type as the guide dowels 19) for fϊtting-in of the lower part of the load-bearing elements of a bathroom module unit 24 (see fig. Ie), also referred to as vertical pillars 26 for a bathroom module unit 24, which pillars 26 will be described in greater detail below.

In the erection of load-bearing internal walls, the bathroom module unit 24 is likewise fitted in the recess 20. The bathroom module is delivered from the factory to the construction site fully equipped with barrier layers, heating, water and sanitary installations, etc.

Once the edge beam 15 is fixed around the whole of the frame edge portion 17, the floor structure elements 13 are fitted. Each floor structure element 13 within the region of the frame edge portion 17 rests against the edge beam 15, which in turn rests against the pillars 8 as well as against nearest-situated structural internal wall elements 11. The more centrally situated floor structure elements 13 ' rest only against the structural internal wall elements 11 or partially against the upper part of the bathroom module unit 24, that is to say against the top part 28 of the load-bearing elements (the pillars 26 of the bathroom module unit 24). The floor structure elements rest against the upper part of the bathroom module unit with their edges in such a way that a recess 30 is formed in the plane of the floor structure elements. In this recess 30 is accommodated the upper part, with installations, of the below-standing bathroom module unit, as well as the thereon stacked lower part, with installations, of the next bathroom module unit. In this way, heating, water and sanitary installations for the bathroom module units are accommodated in the recess 30, at the same time as the bathroom module unit 24 supports itself and above-standing bathroom module units 24 and also bears surrounding and adjoining floor structure elements 13, 13' of the building 1. The bathroom module unit 24 preferably has predetermined measurements in the horizontal plane, such as width and depth, which measurements correspond to the width of two neighboring floor structure elements 13'. The upper and lower installation spaces of two modules stacked one upon the other can be coupled to each other and expediently form a common space substantially of a height conforming to the thickness of the floor structure elements 13, 13'. By creating installation space at a place where space is taken up by floor structure elements for the respective storey, the remaining space of each modular unit, such as the bathroom itself, can be realized with greater ceiling height without the multistorey building needing to be built taller.

On the long side L of the building 1 , the edge beam 15 bears against end portions 21 of the outer structural internal wall elements 11, and the floor structure elements 13 here rest firstly against the edge beam 15 and secondly against the structural internal wall elements 11. Guide dowels 19 of the upper end 23 of the pillars 8 and of the upper edge 25 of the structural internal wall elements 11 are of such a length that they exceed the thickness of the floor structure elements 13, so that the next set of pillars 8 and structural internal wall elements 11 can be guided into place by means of the said guide dowels 19.

The procedure for the construction of the multistorey building 1 continues until the desired number of storeys has been realized. In each storey construction, a bathroom module unit 24 is newly stacked on top of the bathroom module unit 24 situated directly below. That is to say, the pillars 26 for bathrooms for two bathroom module units 24 stacked one upon the other are coupled together to absorb vertical load.

In fig. Ig, a building frame 18 having three storeys (ground floor, first floor, second floor) comprising three bathroom module units 24 is shown.

In fig. Ih, external wall elements 27 are fitted. It is clear that the frame edge section 17 comprises pillars 8 as well as load-bearing internal walls 11 supporting floor structure elements 13, outside of which pillars 8 the external wall elements 27 standing one upon the other are disposed. The external wall elements 27 have been furnished with supporting elements 29, in the form of vertically upright stays 31, extending from the lower edge 33 of the external wall element 27 to its upper edge 35. External wall elements 27 are therefore fitted outside the building frame 18, unlike in a traditional infill wall. This leads, inter alia, to more effective assembly and results in radiator paths (not shown) being able to be pre-fitted in the external wall elements 27, thereby obviating the need to drill through the floor structure elements 13.

By means of the bathroom module units 24 stacked one upon the other and coupled together, a shaft 32 is formed, which extends through the three storeys. At the same time, therefore, a stiffening unit (the shaft 23) has been realized for the multistorey building 1.

Fig. 2 shows schematically from the side the metal frame 41 of a bathroom module unit 24. The load-bearing elements, in the form of pillars 26, extend the whole of the distance substantially corresponding to the height of the bathroom module on the outside. The pillars 26 have the said top part 28 and a bottom part 43. The top part 28 is provided by means of bolting with a support 45 or shoulder for the supporting of floor structure elements 13, 13' (see fig. 3). The support 45 for floor structure elements 13, 13' forms part of a metal load-bearing structure forming a module ceiling 51.

Glossary: fixing element (100) - stud shear connector (101) on the floor structure element (13) coupling apparatus (119) - the embedded dowel pin (19) firmly seated in the internal wall element (11) fixing device (200) - the guide plate (201) coupling element - bent plate part in the shape of a U with a cutout for stud shear connector in each flange to hold together the floor structure in which no coupling apparatus is seated.

Fixing system:

The system is based on a number of prefabricated modules which are used together. The modules have measurements which are multiples of a given modular measure (preferably). The modular measure is shown in fig. 100 with m and is expediently 25 mm. That is to say, the thickness of the internal wall element 11 is 4 x m, i.e. 100 mm. The distance between the dowel pin and the vertical edge of the internal wall element is 2 x m, i.e. 50 mm, and from this edge to the nearest cutout m (25 mm) and to the second cutout in the same guide plate (201) 75 mm (3 x m),

Floor structure element (13):

The floor structure element (13) is provided with one or more protruding fixing elements (100), which are disposed on the side edge of the short sides of the floor structure (13), at the respective corners. Expediently, the floor structure (13) is provided with four protruding fixing elements (100), one at each corner. The fixing element (100) can be, for example, a stud shear connector (101), which expediently is beveled such that it tapers in the direction of the floor structure. The positioning of the fixing element (100) must be chosen with great care and must be at an exact distance from the edge of the floor structure (13), which distance conforms to the modular measure (m) of the modular system. Some of the floor structure (13) can have a distance away of 3 x m (see fig. 100). The floor structure (13) has a length which corresponds to the distance from a load-bearing internal wall (11) to the nearest external wall (or the edge beam 15) or the distance between two load- bearing internal walls (11). This measurement is a multiple of the modular measure (m). The width of the floor structure (13) is also a multiple of the modular measure (m), for example half of the length of a module for a load- bearing internal wall (11). In the illustrative embodiment shown in fig. 100, stud shear connectors are arranged in the two far corners of the floor structure element 13, as well as a stud shear connector in the middle of the longitudinal sides between the corners. The top side of the head of the stud shear connector is situated 12.5 mm (m/2) from the edge, so that neighboring floor structures can be accommodated in the modular system and the coupling element (300) can hold together two neighboring floor structures. Stud shear connectors of the floor structure elements are therefore arranged at a mutual distance apart corresponding to the cutouts present in the fixing device (200) of the structural internal wall element.

Load-bearing internal wall (11):

The prefabricated internal wall element (11) for a load-bearing internal wall is intended to be able to be placed directly on top of another similar internal wall element (11). The internal wall element (11) comprises on its bottom side recesses, which are intended to be placed on and can receive a guide dowel part (19) of the internal wall element (11) placed vertically below the internal wall element (11). On the top side of the internal wall element (11) there are arranged coupling apparatuses (119), which have a dual function by virtue of the fact, firstly, that they act as a guide dowel for the internal wall element which is to be placed on top of the internal wall element (11) and, secondly, that they are provided with fixing devices (200) which are designed to enter into engagement with the fixing clement (100) disposed on the short sides of the floor structure (13). The fixing device comprises a guide plate (201).

Fig. 200 shows a coupling apparatus (119) of a structural internal wall element (11), the coupling apparatus comprising a fixing device (200). The coupling apparatus (119) comprises a threaded screw (120) (bolt), which has a length that is somewhat greater than the thickness of the floor structure (13), and a spacer tube (121), which surrounds the screw (120) and the length of which is somewhat less than the thickness of the floor structure (13). At the bottom of the spacer tube (121) there is a plate (122), which helps to distribute the weight of the floor structure (13). This plate (122) is expediently rectangular. The lower part of the threaded screw (120) sticks out from the spacer tube and is embedded in the top side of the internal wall element (11). On top of the spacer tube (121) there is also a weight-distributing plate (122), but here a ring (123) is also present, which, with the aid of a plurality of screws (124), locks in place a number of shim members (125) (expediently four spacing washers). On the plate (122) there is disposed a guide dowel (19), which is intended to be received by a recess (125) in the bottom side of another internal wall element (13) which is placed on top. Both the weight-distributing plates (122), the guide dowel (19) and the spacer tube (121) are held tight against the top side of the internal wall element (11) with the aid of a nut (126), see fig. 201, on the threaded screw (120). Between the nut (126) and the upper weight- distributing plate (122), there is a washer (127). On the lower part of the coupling apparatus (119) there is disposed the fixing device (200), expediently in the form of guide plates (201) having a bent bottom edge (202), which guide plates can be fixed with screws (203) to the lower weight-distributing plate (122). Each guide plate (201) has a notch (cutout) (204), which is open upwards. The notch (204) can be wider at the top than at the bottom, so that the plate (201) is a little like a cradle, which facilitates the introduction of the fixing element (100) of the floor structure (13), which fixing element is then, expediently, a beveled stud shear connector (101). Advantageously, four fixing devices (200) are disposed on the coupling apparatus (119), on either side of the spacer tube (121), and the coupling apparatus (119) can then couple together four different floor structure elements (see fig. 102a; 13', 13", 13'", 13"") as a result of a fixing element (100) from each of the four floor structure elements (13) entering into engagement with one of the fixing devices (200) of the coupling apparatus (119). Fig. 102a shows an illustrative embodiment. On the top sides of two wall elements 11', 11 ", or, more precisely, on that edge region of the top sides which extends along the length of the wall element (to allow fitting of a fixing arrangement (1000), comprising the said fixing device (200) and coupling apparatus (119) (such as the dowel 19), between two laid floor structure elements on the same wall element), the floor structure element 13' and the floor structure element 13'" have been lifted into place. In each corner of the floor structure elements are arranged stud shear connectors 101. The fixing arrangement 1000 consists both of coupling apparatuses for coupling with an above-stacked wall element (via their supporting elements 29) and of a fixing device 200, in this case comprising four cradles K (only two are visible in fig. 102a'). The floor structure element 13"' is lifted into place in such a way that its stud shear connector 101 ends up in the cradle and is guided towards a predetermined point (preferably related to the modular measure) by tilting of the edge of the cradle. One and the same fixing arrangement 1000 of a wall element 11 ' serves to fix in position and couple together two side-by-side floor structure elements by means of the fixing device 200. The second wall element 11 " is fixed in position relative to the first wall element 11 ' via the floor structure element 13'", which is coupled to the fixing device 1000 (not shown in fig. 102a, see fig. 101) of the second wall element 11" and which, at the same time, overlaps the first and the second wall element 11 ', 11 ". In this way, the floor structure element 13'" holds together and fixes in predetermined position the two structural internal wall elements 11 ', 11 " by means of fixing devices 200. The embodiment is defined by a system for a method of coupling together load- bearing wall elements and floor structure elements in a multistorey building. The system entails that at least one floor structure element is fitted such that it overlaps at least two structural internal wall elements and fixes these two internal wall elements by virtue of a fixing element 100 at the corner of the floor structure element being fixed in position by means of fixing devices disposed on the internal wall elements. One embodiment can also involve the said overlapping floor structure element consisting of two or more coupled- together floor structure elements, wherein the coupling is effected by means of coupling elements 300 which couple together and fix fixing elements 100 on the longitudinal edges of the floor structure elements.

Further clarified: coupling element (300) for coupling together free fixing elements (100): The structural internal wall elements (11) have a coupling apparatus (119) cast in place close to each end edge of the top side. Since the structural internal wall elements (11) are equal in length to the width of two floor structures (13), the fixing elements (100) which are arranged at that corner of the respective floor structure element (13) which ends up against the middle of the internal wall element (11) will not enter into engagement with any fixing device (200) on a coupling apparatus (119). These "free" fixing elements (100) on the floor structure (13) are instead held together by a coupling element (300), which is configured in approximately the same way as the fixing devices (200) of the coupling apparatus (119), i.e. for example as guide plates with cutouts (204'), which are held together with a plate (302) and which are introduced from above onto the fixing elements (100) of the floor structure elements (13).

Fig. 103 and 104 show schematically in perspective view the principle for producing upper reference points OR in the X and Y plane for each storey as the storey is constructed. The foundation plate 900 is cast. A fixed point FP, from which a plumb laser light beam 500 is realized on the foundation plate 900, which fixed point FP is related to a predetermined position of the fixing apparatus (such as guide dowel 19) in the foundation plate 900.

To begin with, all the holes which are to be bored in the floor are set out with a tachymeter, a mark is painted on the concrete floor for each hole. This can be done to ± 1 mm. Once all the holes have been marked, a driller can come and bore the somewhat oversized holes. This can be done to about ± 2 mm. After this, the screws are glued in place with chemical substance.

A leveling is carried out of the top surface (grid) of the concrete floor in order to obtain the true level of the floor in relation to "the zero". The value is marked at each screw point on the concrete floor. Plus measurements alternatively minus measurements, This value will be used later once binders are in place.

The next step is to place the binders there; these are placed over the screws and nuts are not tightened. A long matrix (about 4 meters); a long instrument with holes of about 100 mm, which is placed over the binders. An exact mutual distance between the binders is then obtained. Then the end points are calibrated on the matrix and this is moved so that the binders end up in a straight line and correct in the modular system (about 100 mm). Then the nuts in the binders are tightened. We have then adjusted the binders in the x and y directions.

Rings are put on and the value from the leveling is read at the side of the hole. Depending on the value of the measurement, the number of skims shall be chosen. We have now roughly set out the support in the z-direction. Now a check must be made of the heights of the shims and they are leveled level with the tachymeter; shims may be placed underneath so that the correct position in the z-direction is reached. We then know that the supports on the zero are correct in all directions.

The binders are present for bathrooms, pillars and concrete walls. The principle is that an on-the-spot check is made of the zero, in dependence on the evenness and measurements of the casting. For the building, modules are produced having the correct factory setting of fixing apparatuses. This means that, in principle, no adjustments are required to be made in the building, since account has already been taken of each individual element in the building.

Concrete walls are factory-cast with great dimensional accuracy. But upon hardening, the concrete shrinks a little when water leaves the concrete. The shrinkage commences towards the middle in the wall module and varies a little in dependence on heat, size and concrete mixture. Once the wall has hardened, the wall is calibrated at the factory. The fixing apparatus is factory-fitted. This is placed such that the defects of the wall are taken into account. The fixing apparatus is adjusted for height in the x and y directions. This means that when the wall comes to the assembly site, it has the correct measurements at the supports (the fixing apparatuses).

We are now in the know about the x and y directions. But if the method is supplemented by plumbing of the modules by use of a laser instrument, we then have a check on all directions and the inclination.

The plumbing tool is fitted in a cavity in the zero. This contains a laser gun and an adjusting device for adjusting the horizontal position. In selected concrete walls in the building, embedded tubes are present, which are situated at one module from the fixing apparatus, that is to say 100 mm. Once a concrete wall is mounted, this is placed on the fixing apparatuses and the wall is braced with wall guys. The wall guys have an adjustment facility using a rigging screw. The tube in the wall has now ended up over the laser in the zero. An alignment plate is then placed on the fixing apparatus on the top side of the wall. The plate has a target on the bottom side. The beam shall now be aimed at the target; the inclination of the wall is adjusted with the guys. It is now known that the wall is not out of plumb and is correctly aligned and in the x, y and z directions.

The fixing apparatuses also contain a guide for the floor structures. On the apparatuses there are cradles, which are at half a module from the fixing apparatus (50 mm). The fixing apparatus also indicates the distance between two elements in the longitudinal direction across a wall, a distance of 100 mm. The ends of the floor structures have guide stud shear connectors, which lie within half a module.

When the floor structure is fitted, the floor structure hooks down into the cradle and then it is known that the floor structure is ending up in the correct position. The wall which we previously adjusted in all directions guides the position of the floor structure and also the steel edge beam, which likewise has a corresponding cradle. The edge beam is then known to end up in the correct position. The edge beam is drawn into the correct position by the stud shear connector.

The load-bearing internal wall element 13 is lifted into place by means of a lifting crane (not shown), whereafter it is aligned plumb according to the plumb line 500. At the same time, a construction element in the form of a load- bearing pillar 8 is aligned plumb in the corners of the multistorey building. The likewise factory-arranged floor structure elements 13 (only one is shown in fig. 104) are lifted into place onto the locked (by means of tamping) structural internal wall elements 11 (only one is shown), wherein fixing elements, such as hooks (not shown) (or headed stud shear connectors) of the floor structure elements 13, at a predetermined mutual spacing, fall down into cradles (the cutouts 204) (not shown, see fig. 200) with the same predetermined mutual spacing of upper fixing arrangements 119 assigned to the structural internal wall elements 11. Once all floor structure elements 13 have been fitted onto the construction elements (internal wall element 11, edge beam 15, bathroom module units 24, etc.) for the ground floor, the fixed point FP will therefore automatically be transferred vertically to the next storey, without this storey needing to be marked out for the next installation. Fig. 104 illustrates how the structural internal wall elements 11 of the next storey are mounted and aligned with the aid of the same plumb line 500, whereby the upper fixing arrangement (the coupling apparatus) 119 of this structural internal wall element 11 ends up plumb, related to the position of the fixing apparatus 19, on the foundation plate 9 in the horizontal plane. The method continues until the desired number of storeys has been reached. Up to eight floors can be realized in this way, as is demonstrated by experiments by the Applicant. The advantage of using the upper reference point OR of structural internal wall elements 11 and of pillars 8, given a limited number of construction elements for each storey, is therefore that there is no need to do a new marking for the next set of construction elements fitted in the next storey. The fitter quite simply uses a limited number of plumb lines in the multistorey building under construction, automatically creating reference points for the next construction elements which are to be fitted. The fitter then knows that the construction elements of the multistorey building come always into the correct position in the x and y directions related to the marking in the foundation plate 900. This method is cost-effective, as a marking does not need to be done for each storey and, since the construction elements have predetermined dimensions in a modular system, the construction elements of the multistorey building will always end up in the correct position, whilst at the same time the proprietor automatically receives a check that the coordinates of the last-constructed storey in the horizontal plane are correct for mounting of a roof. That is to say, the coordinates of the last-constructed storey for upper reference points in the horizontal plane conform to the fixed points FP of the base plate 900, whereby construction elements for a roof are afforded secure fitting without the need to deviate from given tolerances.

Preferably, the step after the locking in place is followed by the step of fitting the floor structure of the next storey such that it rests against an upper edge region of the construction element.

In this way, once the construction element (such as a load-bearing internal wall) has been braced (tamped) in the locked position when the plumb line runs through the upper reference point, the assembly of the floor structure can take place. The fixing arrangement expediently comprises a snap-in device (for example in a click system with stud shear connector comprising beveled head of each floor structure element fittable into corresponding cradles of the fixing arrangement of the construction element). This assembly contributes to the realization of the floor or the next storey, at the same time as, by means of the floor structure elements in the modular system, these "draw in" and/or "push away" other construction elements in the multistorey building under construction, which construction elements do not utilize the positioning of the upper fixing arrangement related to an upper reference point, and in which no plumb line is generated. In this way, only a small number of plumb lines need to be used for a small number of construction elements in the multistorey building under construction, which is cost-effective.

Fig. 300 shows the edge beam 15 in fig. Ie. The edge beam has an L-profile. The floor structure element 13 is designed to rest against the lower flange of the edge beam 15. One of the stud shear connectors 101 of the edge beam 15 is shown firstly from the front, secondly from the side. Cutouts 204" are realized in the web of the edge beam, on the top side, for engagement of the stud shear connector 101. When the floor structure element 13 is lifted into place with the aid of a lifting crane (not shown), the stud shear connector will easily find orientation and be guided by means of the oblique edge of the cutout 204" to its correct position. The stud shear connector 101 has likewise in its head a beveled bottom edge, by which the floor structure element is fixed in position in the horizontal plane when the floor structure element is lowered according to arrows P. This guidance of the floor structure element 13 into place in the building is effected for all floor structure elements for each storey in a modular system. Cutouts 204 of guide plates 201 in a fixing device 200 likewise have a guiding function during assembly.

Fig. 301 shows in schematic representation a construction site in which the present modular system is applied. The foundation plate 900 has been assigned a reference point RP in an x-y coordinate system. At this reference point, a supporting element of a load-bearing wall element 11 is placed and aligned plumb. This can be done by means of laser equipment and a template 901 projecting from the upper edge of the wall element. Since all wall elements comprise (highly accurately) predetermined fixing devices 200 for securement in the x, y, z directions of floor structure elements of the same construction and same measurements, and since all floor structure elements 13 have the same external measurements with fixing elements 100 (stud shear connectors 101) with the same mutual spacing, the building can be constructed with great accuracy the whole way up incorporating all storeys. The reference point RP is therefore transferred to the next storey via the next supporting element of an internal wall element 11 stacked on top. The reference points RP for each storey are therefore situated along a plumb line in the building during the construction. This can be illustrated by imagining an absolutely flat base surface (foundation plate) from which a perpendicular line extends upwards (the plumb line). This plumb line coincides with fixing devices 200 of supporting elements (of the particular internal wall elements) mounted stacked one upon the other at RP. An imaginary coordinate system in space has therefore been realized, in which the foundation plate constitutes an x, y plane and the reference points RP with fixing devices 200 constitute a plumb line extending perpendicular to the x, y plane. It is therefore quick and easy to start from the reference points RP of each storey when fitting the factory-produced structural internal wall elements 11 and the floor structure elements 13. The internal wall elements 11 are mounted upright against the centermost encompassing supporting element with the reference point RP, as in the first storey under construction. The floor structure elements 13 are subsequently fitted and fall into place (are lifted up with a lifting crane and are allowed to drop down into cutouts in fixing devices of the internal wall elements 11 and down into cutouts in the edge beam 15). When the floor structure elements 13 are guided down into their positions by means of guide plates and stud shear connectors (described above), the floor structure elements 13 are drawn or pushed in the direction along a horizontal plane in the direction away from or towards the approximate position for the edge beam 15 of the building. That is to say, the floor structure elements, which are prefabricated in a modular system, guide the alignment of the edge beam, so that the edge beam acquires a predetermined extent serving as a support for the floor structure elements 13. Once all floor structure elements 13 on the first storey are in place, a new floor has thus been realized related to the reference point RP realized on this floor. The second storey is assigned a new reference point RP by means of the fixing device of the next stacked internal wall element 11. This reference point RP conforms to the said plumb line and the procedure for this next storey progresses according to the same method as for the first floor. The construction work on the multistorey building continues in this way until the constructed storey is the last. In this way, for each storey, a floor has been produced which conforms to the others in extent, which floors are situated in line one above the other. The load-bearing pillars 8 can advantageously be aligned plumb, likewise in order to control that the corners of the building will actually end up plumb in line. The pillars 8 have the task of supporting the edge beam on which the floor structure elements rest on the short side of the building.

Examples of methods:

Method of assembling a multistorey building comprising floor structure elements (13) and structural internal wall elements (11) on a foundation plate, wherein the floor structure elements (13) comprise fixing elements (100), the structural internal wall elements (11) comprise a fixing device (200), the method comprises the steps of:

- constructing the foundation plate,

- marking out at least one reference point (RP) on the foundation plate (1st. floor)

- mounting and plumbly aligning a structural internal wall element over the reference point, so that the (upper?) fixing device (200) of the structural internal wall element ends up plumb with the said reference point (RP),

- mounting the other structural internal wall elements (11) on the foundation plate,

- lifting into place floor structure elements (13) for the next storey (2nd. floor), so that upper fixing devices (200) are coupled together with the fixing elements (100) of the floor structure elements (13),

- plumbly aligning a next structural internal wall element stacked on the structural internal wall element mounted on the reference point, so that the upper fixing device (200) of this next structural internal wall element ends up perpendicular to the said reference point,

- mounting the other structural internal wall elements (11) on the 2nd. floor,

- lifting into place floor structure elements (13) for the next storey,

- repeat the process until the desired number of storeys has been reached. The system for coupling together the construction elements comprises a fixing device 200; comprising a coupling apparatus 119, such as a dowel 19 (for fixing a construction element stacked on top), and the fixing device 200 is arranged for fixing floor structure elements in the horizontal direction. In this way, a factory-adjusted device has been realized, which device fixes a construction element stacked on top and, at the same time, guides in and fixes floor structure elements 13 coupled to the fixing device 200.

The system further comprises floor structure elements comprising fixing elements 100 (such as stud shear connectors) disposed at a distance from the corners of the floor structure element consistent with the said modular measures.

The system further comprises structural internal wall elements comprising supporting elements designed to be stackable one upon the other, which internal wall element 11 comprises the said fixing device on the top side and edge region of the internal wall element.

In addition, the system comprises an edge beam, on which floor structure elements shall rest, comprising a fixing device (can be cutouts arranged with a spacing conforming to the modular measure in the edge beam 15). In this way, by means of the fixing elements 100 of the wall elements, fixed floor structure elements are able to guide the edge beam to its correct position in the floor plan conforming to that vertical edge of the outermost structural internal wall element which faces out towards the facade, that is to say can automatically end up in line with the desired position for the facade. The system further comprises a coupling element 300, which couples together free fixing elements 100.

The system therefore comprises a fixing device 200 comprising a coupling apparatus 119, fixing elements 100 of floor structure elements, internal wall elements 11 comprising the said fixing device, an edge beam comprising a fixing device, as well as the said coupling elements 100.

The construction system starts from an even foundation plate, from which the said plumb line (one or more can be realized) extends at right angles.

Fig. 400 illustrates schematically the principle for the use of the said modular measure m. A structural internal wall element is shown from above. The dowel pin 19 is shown at one edge region of the internal wall element. The wall element is 200 mm thick (the modular measure can also be defined as 100 mm, in which case the thickness of the wall element becomes 2 x the modular measure). A supporting surface 999 extends for 50 mm on the top side (i.e. m/2) of the internal wall element.

Various examples of how the modular system can be utilized are shown at Q, R, S; in which floor structure elements are used to join together side-by-side internal wall elements. At Q, one stud shear connector of one floor structure element is coupled in the corner to the left-hand cutout 204 of the fixing device, and the adjacent floor structure element (see S) is coupled with its corner stud shear connector to the right-hand cutout 204H. The two mutually adjacent wall elements 11, 11' are therefore connected and are fixed according to a predetermined measurement by means of the connection, realized by the fixing device, of one floor structure 13', overlapping the two wall elements 11 ', 11 ", to the other floor structure 13. In this way, the wall elements are fixed one against the other according to the modular measure of the modular system and are fixed in position. This principle preferably extends to all wall elements over the full width of the building (which width is a multiple of the modular measure). See further discussion for fig. 600. That is to say, a width of the building is obtained which conforms to a predetermined width and the edge beam will thus be fixed by means of the outermost floor structure in the correct position and no wall element will project from the facade F of the building (on edge beam 15), that is to say the wall elements will be terminated in a straight line. Fixed connections 800 connect a dowel, for fixing an internal wall element stacked on top, to the fixing device for fixing floor structure elements fitted on the fixing device. Connections 800 are realized such that predetermined distances are realized between the floor structure elements

Fig. 600 shows a top view of a support comprising floor structure elements of three different widths B', B", B'". Two to eight widths (multiples of the modular measure m) of floor structure elements can be found in the modular system. The wall elements 11 are here four in number and define, in mounted fixed position, the width of the building. It is important that the fixing of these wall elements is correct and that assembly can be quickly and easily effected. It is sufficient if one of^the wall elements is mounted plumb and in the correct position relative to a reference point in the base plate, so that the set of wall elements get their ends in line with the facade line F. The fixing of the wall elements is effected by means of the floor structures of the three different widths B', B", B'" fixed in position by means of the fixing devices of the respective internal wall element. The wall element 11 shown on the left in fig. 600 is mounted on the floor structure element 13. The width B' conforms to the length of the internal wall element 11 (two floor structure elements can also be accommodated with their edge regions on such an internal wall element). The next floor structure element is coupled together by means of the coupling element 300 and fixes this element relative to the one to the left and is fixed against its internal wall element. This next floor structure element 13 has a width B" which is less than the length of the internal wall element and is fixed against the left-hand cutout of the fixing device 200. The following floor structure element (of width B') will thus overlap the internal wall elements and fix these internal wall elements relative to one another, since this following floor structure element, at its other corner, is fixed in position to the fixing device 200'. Finally, the last floor structure element has a width B'" which overlaps the last two internal wall elements and fixes these via the fixing device 200' and the fixing device 200". The internal wall elements are thus fixed relative to one another, producing a width of the building which affords satisfactory tolerance for the width of the building. That is to say, raise the position of the edge beam in space, creating an even surface for a facade and support for other floor structure elements in the building.

In fig. 500, the prior art is shown, in which internal wall elements and floor structure elements are represented from above. No fixing device is present which fixes the internal wall elements relative to one another, whereby there is a risk that an internal wall element projects from the facade and has to be subsequently readjusted at the construction site, which is costly.

The present invention should not be deemed to be limited to the above- described illustrative embodiments, but rather modifications and combinations thereof can occur within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fixing device (200); comprising a coupling apparatus (119), such as a dowel (19), for fixing a construction element (11) stacked on top, and the fixing device (200) is arranged for fixing floor structure elements (13) in the horizontal direction.

2. A floor structure element (13) comprising fixing elements (100), such as stud shear connectors, disposed at a distance from the corners of the floor structure element.

3. A structural internal wall element (11) comprising supporting elements designed to be stackable one upon the other, which internal wall element (11) comprises the said fixing device.

4. An edge beam (15), on which floor structure elements shall rest, comprising a fixing device.

5. A coupling element (300) designed to couple together free fixing elements (100).

6. A system comprising a fixing device (200) comprising a coupling apparatus (119), fixing elements (100) of floor structure elements (13), internal wall elements (11) comprising the said fixing device (200), an edge beam (15) comprising a fixing device, as well as the said coupling elements (100), wherein at least one floor structure element overlaps at least two structural internal wall elements (11) and is fixed to these by means of the fixing device (200).

7. A method of constructing a multistorey building according to the system defined as claimed in claim 6.