WO2011061414A1

WO2011061414A1 - Support structure

Info

Publication number: WO2011061414A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/052258
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joël AUBERT; Ignace Becquart
Original assignee: Jimenez, Michel; Castelein, Jacques
Priority date: 2009-11-23
Filing date: 2009-11-23
Publication date: 2011-05-26

Abstract

The invention relates to a vertical support structure comprising: a plurality of substantially flat vertical panels (P_i), each panel having a thickness of between 40mm and 240mm and including (i) two parallel outer metal sheets (10, 12) having a thickness of between 4/10th and 16/10th mm and (ii) an expanded plastic foam filling (14) injected between said sheets (10, 12), whereby the panels (P_i) define a closed polygonal contour and each panel (P_i) forms the entire height of the structure for the part of the structure formed thereby; linking elements (32, 36, 38) attached at least to the lower part (30) and the upper part (34) of the panels (P_i); and non-vertical interconnection means (42) between at least some non-aligned panels (P_i), said interconnection means (42) being attached to the panels (P_i) above the lower end (30) thereof.

Description

CARRIER STRUCTURE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a load-bearing structure that can be used in particular for the realization of residential houses or the like.

More specifically, the present invention relates to such a carrier structure of modular type and achievable from standard elements.

Description of the prior art Cladding panels are known that consist of two external metal sheets between which is made a filling of plastic material and usually polystyrene, polyurethane or polyisocyanurate. Such panels are known in particular from European Patent Application EP 595 777, US Pat. No. 4,104,840 or PCT Patent Application WO 96/41925.

In Figures 1A and 1B, there is shown the structure of one of these known panels. This panel comprises two external metal sheets 10 and 12 between which is interposed a filling of plastic material 14. In some embodiments such as that shown in Figure 1B, the panel has two profiles of embedded forms conjugated on its longitudinal edges respectively referenced 16 for the male profile and 18 for the female profile. The profiles 16 and 18 may be covered by profiles made in a sheet of the same nature as that used to make the sheets 10 and 12. However, these cover profiles may be omitted when the filling 14 is sufficiently rigid, to avoid thermal bridge phenomena.

The total thickness H of the panel is between 40 and 240 mm and preferably between 60 and 125 mm. The density of the panel is generally between 10 kg / m ² and 20 kg / m ² . The dimensions of the panel are generally between 200 and 1400 mm in width and between 800 and 6000 mm in length.

The thickness of the metal sheets 10 and 12 is preferably between 4/10 and ^e 16/10 ⁶ millimeter. The metal sheets may be made of galvanized steel and possibly protected by a protective film or lacquering. In addition, the filling 14 is constituted by polyurethane foam or expanded polyisocyanurate high density between 28 kg / m ³ and 45 kg / m ³ .

Until a very recent past, he was unanimous in his opinion that multilayer panels, especially those previously mentioned, were incapable of providing intrinsically the role of load-bearing elements in a supporting structure used for the construction of a house. a building or any other similar structure. It was indeed estimated that a bearing structure made solely from an assembly of this type of panel was not strong enough to support all the vertical components of the loads applied to the supporting structure.

Therefore, these panels were called panels "self-supporting", that is to say, strong enough not to collapse under the effect of their own weight, but no panels called "carriers" is that is, robust enough to withstand the effect of their own weight with additional extrinsic constraints. It follows that these panels were hitherto only perceived, either as elements of approval of a supporting structure, in the form for example of filling or siding structures, or as integral elements of the supporting structure , but only if they are reinforced by means for example of an additional external and / or internal frame, in particular metal, of wood, concrete or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a support structure allowing the use of standard panels, particularly type described above, without the latter need to be reinforced by an additional frame to support the entirety of the vertical components of the loads applied to the supporting structure.

More precisely, the invention proposes a method of assembling such panels which makes it possible to produce a carrier structure for the construction of a house, a building or any other similar structure.

Brief summary of the invention

The invention as it will be defined below is based on the conclusions of numerous tests and simulations carried out by the inventors. This work made it possible to define ranges of values, for a certain number of mechanical strength parameters, which a panel of the type previously described had to satisfy in order to be able to constitute a carrier element of a bearing structure.

The conclusions of these simulations revealed that, against all odds, some panels of the type previously described, once assembled in a particular way, allowed the realization in themselves of a supporting structure of a house, a building or the like.

Also, the object of the present invention is achieved by a bearing structure which is characterized in that it comprises:

a plurality of substantially vertical vertical panels, each panel having a thickness between

40mm and 240mm and comprising:

- two parallel outer metal sheets between them a thickness of between 4/10 ^th and 16 tenths ^of a millimeter; and

a foam filling of an expanded plastic material injected between said sheets so as to inherently produce a mechanical bond by adhesion with said sheets and to ensure the relative maintenance of said sheets in parallel position, said panels defining a closed polygonal contour, each panel forming the entire height of the structure for the part of the structure that it constitutes;

connecting elements fixed at least in the lower part and in the upper part of the panels; and

non-vertical interconnection means between at least some non-aligned panels, said interconnection means being fixed to said panels above their lower end;

whereby the combination of interconnected vertical panels and interconnecting means form an assembly working as a shell, said panels integrally supporting the vertical components of the loads applied to the structure.

It is understood that, thanks to the assembly according to the invention panels known to serve as filling face for a structure, it is possible to produce from these panels, a load-bearing structure, especially used to manufacture a building, without the panels need to be reinforced by an additional frame to support all the vertical components of the loads applied to the supporting structure.

In particular, thanks to the cooperation of a vertical structure comprising an assembly of vertical panels with means for interconnecting at least some of these non-aligned vertical panels, a continuity in the transmission of the stresses to which the structure is subjected is observed. carrier respectively between the vertical panels and the interconnection means. We then obtain a load-bearing structure that works like a "shell" and which thus makes it possible to meet the different standards in force when building houses and especially single-family houses, both as regards the constraints related to the clean mass of the building. building and its components during its normal use, only for external constraints that may be applied to the building such as the winds defined in the standards or a load constituted by the accumulation of snow on the roof or structures.

For example, the carrier structure according to the invention is made from panels previously mentioned and represented in Figures 1A and 1B, the panels used respecting the above parameters.

Preferably, panels obtained according to a method in which a continuous injection of a foam emulsion is interposed between the two metal sheets. According to this method, the foam expands progressively until all of the free space between the two metal sheets is completely filled by the expanded foam, and then solidifies for a certain time.

It is understood that by injecting foam between the two sheets, the expanded foam inherently provides a mechanical bonding connection with the two outer metal sheets and allows the relative maintenance of said sheets in parallel position. This solution makes it possible to obtain a much better mechanical strength of the external metal sheets of the panel during tearing than in the case of panels manufactured by first obtaining an expanded layer of foam and then fixing on this layer the two metal sheets by by means of adhesive means, such as glues, especially polyurethane glues.

Preferably, before the injection of the foam emulsion, the heating of the two metal foils at a temperature of between 35 and 60 ° is carried out.

It is understood that the heating of the two metal sheets before the foam injection allows a better interaction between the two materials, which further improves the mechanical strength of the outer metal sheets of the panel pulling.

It is very important to obtain the best possible adhesion between the two metal foils and the expanded foam because it is in particular the quality of this adhesion, combined at the same time with the density of the expanded foam and with a thickness of the two metal foils. between 4/10 ^th and ^th of 16/10 mm, which allows the panels to support the entirety of the vertical components of the loads applied to the supporting structure without any reinforcing frame insert and / or external she need to be added. Preferably, the contour defined by the panels is such that two adjacent panels form between them an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees. In other words, the closed polygonal contour defined by the panels of the structure does not have a re-entrant angle.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the lower connecting elements comprise U-shaped profiles, L or Z anchored in the ground, the lower edges of the panels being embedded and fixed in said profiles.

According to an alternative embodiment, the panels have an outer and / or an internal face. This solution notably makes it possible to improve the acoustic, thermal and aesthetic properties of the supporting structure.

According to an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal edges of the panels have throughout their length vertical recessed profiles embedding. This solution improves the mechanical connection between the various panels forming the vertical part of the carrier structure. However, these vertical profiles are not significantly carriers, which means that they do not participate in any significant way in the absorption of stresses applied to the carrier structure. Preferably, these conjugated longitudinal profiles are directly provided in the filling foam to avoid thermal bridge phenomena. They can be covered by profiles of the same shape. These covering profiles may be made of metal or, to avoid thermal bridging phenomena, in a material with low thermal conductivity, such as a plastic material.

According to an alternative embodiment, said connecting elements are metallic, preferably of the same metal as that used for the two metal sheets of the panels. They can be interconnected to form a belt on the entire polygonal contour of the structure.

According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the interconnection means of the panels comprise at least one floor comprising:

a plurality of horizontal panels similar to those of the supporting structure; and - Fixing means of the ends of the panels forming the floor on an intermediate portion of at least some of the panels forming the vertical supporting structure.

It is understood that in this preferred embodiment, the structure forming an intermediate floor not confused with the lower floor of the building carries means for interconnecting the panels of the vertical carrier structure to obtain the hull effect.

However, it should be noted that it is not necessary that these means of interconnecting vertical panels cover, as is the case with a floor, the entire surface bounded by the vertical walls of the structure. It suffices that a sufficient number of vertical panels not aligned with each other are connected by these interconnection means to ensure the "hull" operation of the carrier structure. In particular, in the case of a floor, this floor may cover only a portion of the total area limited by the vertical walls for example in the case of a mezzanine.

Preferably, the floor fixing means form an intermediate continuous connection between at least some of the vertical panels.

According to another preferred mode of implementation, the interconnection means comprise a roof, said roof comprising:

a plurality of non-vertical panels similar to the vertical panels of the supporting structure; and

- Fastening means of the panels forming the roof on the upper end of at least some of the panels of said supporting structure.

It is understood that according to one or other of these preferred embodiments of the invention, the non-vertical interconnection means between the vertical non-aligned panels forming the vertical part of the supporting structure are advantageously constituted either by the roof in the case of a building without floors, either by the roof and by an intermediate floor in the case of a multi-storey building and preferably the roof and / or the intermediate floor are made from similar panels, that is to say extremely similar to the panels forming the vertical part of the supporting structure. By similar panels are meant panels which also include two external metal sheets interconnected by a plastic filling. The similar term is used to indicate that the thickness of the metal sheets of the panels used for the roof or floor and the total thickness of these panels may be different from those chosen to achieve the vertical part of the supporting structure .

According to alternative embodiments, the connecting elements and / or the means for fixing the ends of the panels forming the floor and / or the fastening means of the panels forming the roof are metallic, preferably of the same metal as that used for both. sheet metal panels.

A second object of the invention is to provide a panel intended to be mounted in a carrier structure of the type defined above and which is characterized in that it comprises:

- two substantially planar metal sheets having a thickness of between 4/10 ^th and 16 tenths ^of a millimeter; and

an expanded foam filling of polyurethane or high-density polyisocyanurate of between 28 kg / m ³ and

45 kg / m ³ , said foam being injected between said sheets so as to intrinsically achieve a mechanical bond by adhesion with said sheets and to ensure the relative maintenance of said sheets in parallel position; the total thickness of the panel being between 40 and 240 mm.

Brief description of the various views of the drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the following description of several embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figures 1A and 1B, already described, represent a unitary panel already known.

FIG. 2A is a simplified top view of the carrier structure according to the invention; FIG. 2B is a simplified elevational view of the right-hand side of the carrier structure according to the invention;

- Figure 2C is a simplified view of principle in elevation on the left side of the carrier structure according to the invention;

- Figure 2D is a simplified view of principle in front elevation of the carrier structure according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a simplified vertical sectional view of a carrier structure according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is a partial detail view, in vertical section, of an embodiment of the carrier structure;

- Figure 5 is a detailed horizontal sectional view of the connection between two vertical panels forming an angle of the structure;

- Figure 6 is a partial view in horizontal section of a vertical wall of the structure showing the connection between two adjacent panels; and

- Figure 7 is a detail view of Figure 4 showing the connection between the panels forming the vertical wall, the roof and the floor.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring firstly to FIGS. 2A to 2D, the general organization of the carrier structure according to the invention will be described. The carrying structure comprises a vertical portion referenced 20 which, in this example, consists of four right-angled walls 22, 24, 26 and 28. This vertical bearing structure 20 could have a different shape since it constitutes a closed polygonal contour with no re-entrant angle. Each wall 22, 24, 26 and 28 comprises standard vertical panels bearing the generic reference P ,. Each Pi panel is the full height of the vertical wall.

In the example considered and illustrated in Figure 2B, the short side or pinion right side 22 of the structure consists of three panels P, substantially identical juxtaposed. The panels P, are connected to each other at their lower part carrying the generic reference 30 by connecting elements preferably constituted by sections 32 also anchored in the soil S on which is formed the carrier structure. The lower connecting elements 32 make it possible to join together the lower ends 30 of the panels P 1. The profiles 32 may have any suitable shape, in particular a shape of U, L or Z. The profiles 32 may be continuous along the entire length of the lower end 30 of the panels P ,, or may be in the form of contiguous sections, advantageously arranged not to match the joints of the sections with the joining planes of panels P ,. The upper ends 34 of the panels P, are also interconnected by connecting elements preferably constituted by connecting plates, for example metal, such as 36 which are screwed, bolted, riveted or glued on the panels P ,. These connecting plates 36 may have a U-shaped profile and may be continuous or not along the entire length of the upper end of the wall 22. Thus, the vertical panels P, are secured together at their upper ends 34 and The profiles 32 and the connecting plates 36 are preferably metallic, advantageously of the same metal as that used for the two metal sheets 10 and 12 of the panels P 1. However, these connecting elements 32 and 36 could equally well not be made of metal and be made from another material, for example a synthetic material such as polyurethane.

In the example considered and illustrated in Figure 2C, two panels Pi and P ₂ of the wall forming the left pinion 26 of the structure are aligned and are not adjacent, so that the wall 26 has an opening 39. Both Pi and P ₂ panels are connected via an upper connecting panel 41. The upper connecting panel 41 is preferably identical to a vertical panel that would have been interposed between the two panels Pi and P ₂ in the absence of the opening 39, with the difference that its vertical dimension is shorter, so that the upper connecting panel 41 does not meet the ground S and that its lower end defines the upper end of the opening 39. The upper end of the upper connecting panel 41 is joined to the upper end 34 of the panels Pi and P ₂ so that the end upper wall 26 has no discontinuity. The upper end of the upper connecting panel 41 is fixed to the upper end 34 of the panels Pi and P ₂ by connecting plates 36 of the type previously described. The lower end of the upper connecting panel 41 is fixed at an intermediate height of the panels Pi and P ₂ by connecting plates such as 38, which are screwed, bolted, riveted or glued. The connecting plates 38 are preferably metallic, preferably of the same metal as that used for the two metal sheets 10 and 12 of the panels. However, these connecting elements 38 could equally well not be metallic and be made from another material, for example a synthetic material such as polyurethane.

Optionally, it can be interposed between the two panels Pi and P ₂ a lower connecting panel 43 whose lower end meets the ground S and the upper end defines the lower end of the opening 39. The lower panel link 43 is preferably identical to a vertical panel which would have been interposed between the two panels Pi and P ₂ in the absence of the opening 39, with the difference that its vertical dimension is provided shorter. The lower end of the lower connecting panel 43 is anchored in the ground S by a profile 32 of the type previously described. The upper end of the lower connecting panel 43 is fixed at an intermediate height of the panels Pi and P ₂ by connecting plates 38 of the type previously described.

In the example considered and illustrated in FIG. 2D, the width of an opening 39 corresponds to the width of two panels P 1. In this case, the upper link panel 41 may be formed of a single panel of appropriate width or of several adjacent panels linked together. In this example, the upper end of the opening 39 is not defined by the lower end of the upper binding panel 41 but by the lower end of a lintel panel 45. The lintel 45 is preferably formed from a panel identical to a vertical panel and whose dimensions are chosen so that its upper end can be tipped at the lower end of the two upper connecting panels 41 and its lateral ends are respectively joined to the lateral ends of two panels P ₃ and P ₄ . The two panels P ₃ and P _4; the upper connecting panel 41 and the lintel 45 are fixed together by means of connecting elements 38 of the previously defined type.

It is understood that to obtain a structure working as a shell, it is not essential that all the panels P, of the same wall 22 to 28 are juxtaposed. The hull effect is fully achieved even if two panels P 1 and P _{1 +} i of the same wall are spaced apart and connected to each other only by means of an upper connecting panel 41 and, optionally, by intermediate of a lower connecting panel 43 and / or a lintel 45. It is sufficient to obtain the shell effect that all the vertical ends of all the panels forming a wall 22 to 28, with the exception of the two ends opposite the two panels P, and P _{i + 1} spaced and two distal side ends of the wall, are juxtaposed and bonded together. It is understood that the plurality of panels P, forming the carrier structure defines a closed polygonal contour, that is to say, that there is a horizontal level of the structure for which, at least over a certain height from this level, the contour does not present any interruption.

In these preferred embodiments, whether it is an upper connecting panel 41, a lower connecting panel 43 or a lintel 45, these wall elements are preferably identical to the vertical panels P 1. By identical wall elements are meant wall elements which also comprise two external metal sheets interconnected by a filling of plastic material. The identical term is used to indicate that the thickness of the metal sheets and the total thickness of these wall elements correspond to those of the vertical panels P, which are adjacent to them, so that a continuity, especially thermal, is provided at the junctions between these wall elements and panels P _f which are adjacent to them. However, it goes without saying that it would not go beyond the invention if these wall elements were not identical to the vertical panels P, but instead had a structure and / or thicknesses different from those of the vertical panels Pi, in particular a structure made of wood, metal, brick or concrete. In Indeed, it would still be possible to produce from vertical panels P a supporting structure working like a shell.

It goes without saying that in the description of the particular embodiment considered, the four walls 22 to 28 are made in the same manner and may or may not include an opening 39.

The vertical end panels of the various walls 22 to 28 are interconnected by vertical L-shaped angle systems such as 40 which are also screwed, bolted, riveted or glued to the vertical end panels of the two vertical walls. at right angles. These angles will be described in more detail later.

FIG. 2A shows the other constituent element of the supporting structure which is added to the vertical support structure described above and which consists of interconnecting means of the panels forming the vertical structure represented symbolically in this figure. by reference 42. The function of these interconnection means is to connect together at least some of the panels P, non-aligned, that is to say belonging to walls 22 to 28 different so that the combination of the vertical supporting structure with these interconnection means 42 generally constitutes a structure working in shell. The interconnection means are integral with the vertical panels at a level which is above their lower ends. In the description which follows, various embodiments of these interconnection means 42 will be specified.

As already indicated above, the interconnection means of the vertical panels 42 to form the whole of the shell-shaped structure are preferably constituted by an intermediate floor disposed above the ground level. and / or by a roof connecting of course the upper ends of the panels forming the side walls 22 to 28.

In these two preferred embodiments of interconnection means vertical panels, whether the floor or the roof, the interconnection means are preferably made using panels that are very similar to those that are used to achieve the vertical structure. However, it goes without saying that we do not It would not depart from the invention if the constituent elements used to make the interconnection means were not made using panels of the same type as those used to make the vertical structures. Indeed, in this case again, one would achieve from the elements of vertical panels a supporting structure working as a shell.

FIG. 3 is a simplified representation of two possible embodiments of the interconnection means of the vertical panels, which may consist either in the realization of an intermediate floor referenced 46 or in the realization of a roof 48 or the most often in the realization of these two structures. In Figure 3, the roof 48 is shown with a slope. It goes without saying, however, that the roof could be horizontal.

As indicated previously schematically, preferably, the floor 46 or the roof 48 or both are preferably but not exclusively made from panels similar or identical to the vertical panels Pi shown in Figures 2A to 2D . To achieve the floor 46, the PLj panels are arranged along their length parallel to the smallest side of the vertical structure, that is to say in the particular embodiment considered parallel to the walls 22 and 26 constituting the gables of the construction . The ends 50 and 52 of the PU panels are supported by angles such as 54 and 56 fixed on the inner faces of the panels P, constituting the vertical walls at an intermediate level between the ground and the roof 48. These angles 54 and 56 are of preferably metal, advantageously of the same metal as used for the two metal sheets 10 and 12 of the panels. However, the fastening means, whether formed by the brackets 54 and 56 or by other means, could equally well not be metallic and be made from another material, for example a synthetic material. such as polyurethane. A preferred embodiment of the floor 46 will be described later.

With regard to the roof 48, it is also preferably made by panels T, similar to the vertical panels P, vertical walls. The lower ends of the panels T _t constituting the roof 48 and which are referenced 58 are supported on the upper end 34 of the vertical panels P, by profiles such as 62 and are fixed on this upper end 34 with fixing means preferably constituted by angles 60.

Whether angles 54 and 56 supporting the ends of the panels forming the floor 46 or fixing means 60 of the lower ends of the panels constituting the roof 48, the profiles or fittings that allow to fix them on the vertical panels are connected to the panels by any suitable means, for example by riveting taking advantage of the fact that the outer faces of the panels P, are themselves constituted by metal sheets, by screwing, by bolting or possibly also by gluing.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 7, certain parts of the carrier structure will be described in more detail.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the complete carrier structure. There is shown a panel P, which extends over the entire height of the facade of the vertical carrier structure. The lower end 30 of the panel is embedded and fixed in a profile 32 which is the entire outline of the structure. The profile 32 is anchored in the ground.

The upper end 34 of the panel P, is connected to an inclined panel T, which is preferably a part of the roof 48. The panel T, roof is fixed on the upper end of the panel P, by angles 60 via an expanded foam support profile 62. These angles 60 are preferably metallic, advantageously of the same metal as that used for the two metal sheets 10 and 12 of the panels. However, these attachment means 60 could equally well not be made of metal and be made from another material, for example a synthetic material such as polyurethane. The roof 48 made from the panels T, forms both fastening elements in the upper portion 34 of the vertical panels P, between them and means for interconnecting the vertical panels P 1. In this case, the interconnection means cover the entire floor surface of the structure.

In FIG. 4, the assembly of the floor 46 has also been shown. This floor is preferably constituted by panels PLj whose ends are supported by brackets 54 screwed on the inner face of the panels j at an intermediate level.

Also preferably, the floor 46 is completed by plates 70, for example of wood or composite material. These plates 70 are fixed on extra thicknesses 72 provided on the upper face of the panels PLj forming the floor 46. The panels are the entire length of the portion between the two vertical walls. The plates 70 extend perpendicularly to the panels PL _f to improve the mechanical strength of the floor.

In this example, the floor 46 forms part of the interconnection means of the non-aligned vertical panels. In this case, these means are attached to the panels at an intermediate height 76 between their lower end 30 and their upper end 34.

Preferably, the panels PLj of the floor 46 and / or the panels Tj of the roof 48 comprise external longitudinal ribs, advantageously three ribs, so that the panels thus ribbed have a better mechanical resistance to the stresses to which they are subjected.

In Figure 6, there is shown an embodiment of the connection between two panels Pj and P _{i + 1} adjacent to a vertical wall. In this embodiment, the panels have embedding profiles 16 and 18, but this is not mandatory. The panels may optionally be interconnected by platens 78, preferably metal, and by rivets 80, screws or bolts. These plates 78 do not participate in any way to the support of the vertical components of the charges applied to the structure.

Figure 5 illustrates the connection between two vertical panels of angle P, and P _{i +} i. A foam piece 82, preferably injected during assembly, ensures the continuity of the panels. The panels are preferably interconnected by respectively inner and outer corner plates 84 and 86. These plates make it possible to ensure continuity in the corners of the belt formed by the connecting elements. They do not participate in any case in support of the vertical components of the loads applied to the structure. They are advantageously made of the same material as that of the connecting elements to form with them a continuous belt of the same material, especially metal. They may be continuous or not over the entire height of the panels. Preferably, the inner plate 84 is continuous over the entire height of the panels while the outer plate 86 is discontinuous, so that it is possible to inject the foam piece 82 after the fixing of the inner plate 84 and before the placing the outer plate 86. It follows that a seal is provided and a thermal bridge phenomenon is avoided at the junction between the two corner panels P, and P _{i +} i.

The plates 84 and 86 are preferably fixed to the panels by rivets such as 90. It could of course use screws or bolts.

Figure 7 is a partial view of Figure 4 which shows in more detail the connection between the floor 46, the roof 48 and the vertical panels Pi.

By way of example, there are given a number of configurations of panels that can form different elements of a carrier structure according to the invention, panels thus configured having a resistance to a maximum voltage o _ma x greater than the resistance determined by the work of the inventors;

- Roof 48 in saddle: the maximum tension to be respected is o _m ax = 7.0 N / mm ² , which is satisfied by a panel (T,) with 3 longitudinal outer ribs and 80mm thick;

- Roof 48 horizontal: the maximum voltage to be respected is a _max = 11, 3 N / mm ² , which is satisfied by a panel (T) with 3 longitudinal outer ribs and 80mm thickness;

- Intermediate floor 46: the maximum voltage to be respected is

N / mm ² , which is satisfied by a panel (PL) with 3 longitudinal outer ribs and 60mm thick;

- Vertical wall: the maximum tension to be respected is o _max = 7.8 N / mm ² , which is satisfied by a panel (P,) of thickness 60mm.

Claims

1. Vertical support structure characterized in that it comprises;

a plurality of substantially planar vertical panels (P), each panel (Pi) having a thickness of between 40mm and 240mm and comprising:

- two external metal sheets (10, 12) parallel to each other with a thickness between 4/10 ^th and 16 tenths ^of a millimeter; and

- a foam filling of an expanded plastic material (14) injected between said sheets (10, 12) so as to intrinsically achieve a mechanical bond by adhesion with said sheets (10, 12) and to ensure the relative maintenance of said sheets ( 10, 12) in parallel position,

said panels (P,) defining a closed polygonal contour, each panel (P) forming the entire height of the structure for the part of the structure that it constitutes;

connecting elements (32, 36, 38) fixed at least in the lower part (30) and in the upper part (34) of the panels (P,); and

non-vertical interconnection means (42) between at least some non-aligned panels (P,), said interconnection means (42) being fixed to said panels (P) above their lower end (30);

whereby the combination of interconnected vertical panels (P 1) and interconnecting means (42) form an assembly working as a shell, said panels (P) integrally supporting the vertical components of the charges applied to the structure.

2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that two adjacent panels (Pi, P _{i + 1} ) form between them an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees.

3. Structure according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lower connecting elements (32) comprise U-shaped sections, L or Z anchored in the floor, the lower edges of the panels (30) being recessed and fixed in said profiles.

4. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said panels (P,) have an outer face and / or internal.

5. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the longitudinal edges of the panels (Pi) have throughout their length of the vertical profiles (16, 18) conjugate embedding and not significantly carriers.

6. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said connecting elements (32, 36, 38) are metallic and are interconnected to form a belt over the entire polygonal contour of the structure.

7. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said interconnection means (42) comprise at least one floor (46) comprising:

a plurality of horizontal panels (PL) similar to those of the supporting structure; and

- Fixing means (54, 56) of the ends (50, 52) of the panels forming the floor (46) on an intermediate portion of at least some of the panels (P,) forming the vertical supporting structure.

8. Structure according to claim 7, characterized in that said floor (46) further comprises plates (70) fixed on the upper face of the panels (PLj) forming the floor (46).

9. Structure according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said fixing means (54, 56) of the floor (46) form an intermediate continuous connection between at least some of said vertical panels (P,).

10. Structure according to any one of claims 7 to

9, characterized in that the fastening means (54, 56) of the ends of the panels (PL) forming the floor (46) are metallic.

11. Structure according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the horizontal panels (PL) of the floor (46) comprise outer longitudinal ribs.

12. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said interconnection means (42) comprise a roof (48), said roof (48) comprising;

a plurality of non-vertical panels () similar to the vertical panels (Pi) of the supporting structure; and

- Fixing means (60) of the panels forming the roof on the upper end (34) of at least some of the panels (Pi) of said supporting structure.

13. Structure according to claim 12, characterized in that the non-vertical panels (Ti) of the roof (48) comprise outer longitudinal ribs.

14. Structure according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the fastening means (60) of the panels (Tj) forming the roof (48) are metallic.

15. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the connecting elements (32, 36, 38) are metallic.

16. Panel intended to be mounted in a support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that it comprises:

- two metal sheets (10, 12) substantially planar thickness of between 4/10 ^th and 16 tenths ^of a millimeter; and

an expanded foam filling (14) of polyurethane or of high density polyisocyanurate of between 28 kg / m ³ and 45 kg / m ³ , said foam (14) being injected between said sheets (10, 12) so as to intrinsically realize a mechanical connection by adhesion with said sheets (10, 12) and to ensure the relative maintenance of said sheets (10, 12) in parallel position; the total thickness of the panel being between 40 and 240 mm.

17. Panel according to claim 16, characterized in that it further comprises on both longitudinal edges a profile extending over the entire length of said edge, the profiles (16, 18) of the same panel having conjugate shapes. Recessed.