WO2022184663A1

WO2022184663A1 - Beam for constructing wood-framed buildings, construction element incorporating said beam and building constructed with at least one such element

Info

Publication number: WO2022184663A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/055041
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roland Schmidt
Original assignee: Schmidthaus Limited
Priority date: 2021-03-04
Filing date: 2022-03-01
Publication date: 2022-09-09
Also published as: US20240151034A1; CA3207048A1; FR3120377B1; FR3120377A1; EP4301942A1

Abstract

A beam (P) for a construction element for a wood-framed structure is disclosed. The beam comprises two longitudinal members (P1) which extend longitudinally parallel with, and at a distance from, each other. Each of the longitudinal members comprises an external face (P2) and an internal face (P3). The respective internal faces of the longitudinal members face each other. The beam is closed by closing panels (P5, P5') which bear against the transverse sides of the longitudinal members. The external face of at least one of the longitudinal members is provided with at least one longitudinal groove for receiving a sealing strip which is suitable for providing a seal between the beam and another element, for example a counter-bracing panel of the structure incorporating the beam. The beam allows a wood-framed structure, such as a house or a building, to be constructed while ensuring that the building is completely sealed as soon as it is constructed.

Description

Beam for the construction of timber frame buildings, construction element incorporating it, and building constructed with at least one such element.

The present invention relates generally to the field of the construction of buildings with a wooden frame, and more particularly to a beam containing wood, as well as to a construction element of the "wall" type incorporating said beam, and to a construction made with at least one such construction element.

The invention finds applications in houses and buildings with a wooden frame that comply, in France, with the requirements of the French Standard DTU 31.2, "Construction of houses and buildings with a wooden frame", in its version of May 2019 which replaces the version of 2011 and its amendment A1 of 2014. These include, for example, buildings for domestic use such as single-family dwellings or collective residential buildings, or buildings for commercial or industrial use such as commercial premises, office premises, industrial buildings, etc.

Controlling the air permeability of buildings aims to ensure good indoor air quality by controlling air flows, as well as improving acoustic and thermal comfort by eliminating parasitic air inlets. . Controlling air permeability, in particular, is a major issue in the context of the objectives of improving the energy performance of houses and buildings.

Airtightness techniques seek to limit the flow of air between the inside and the outside of a building, via its envelope, i.e. via the construction elements that are the walls, floors and roofs. With the implementation of the most recent thermal regulations (namely the RT 2020 regulation, where the letters RT are put for "thermal resistance"), in particular, the treatment of airtightness now becomes mandatory for the set of residential buildings.

Specifically, in the context of RT 2020 and as part of the approach known as "low energy" housing, the shell of the structure's envelope, also known as the frame or the frame, must itself be airtight. This approach to buildings aims to track down air leaks due to faults in the structure, which are synonymous with a reduction in the effectiveness of thermal insulation. To achieve a satisfactory level of energy performance, the envelope of the structure must, in fact, be continuous and perfectly airtight, from the floors to the roofs, passing through the walls.

Today, the control of the airtightness of constructions is mainly limited to dedicated means which are arranged at the junction between the walls of the building and the exterior joinery (windows, bay windows, doors, roller shutter boxes etc.).

However, the envelope of houses and buildings itself is generally devoid of it, which is the case in all timber frame constructions (cf. DTU 31.2) proposed to date. However, it is estimated that thermal bridges are responsible for 65% of heat loss in such a construction. Their treatment is essential for the guarantee owed by the manufacturer, and essential for the quality of the work. It must be taken into account from the construction of the shell of the envelope of the structure. The expenses for heating the corresponding house or building are also a direct consequence of this.

In the state of the art, it is common practice to affix by hand a sealant or a silicone joint, available as an accessory, at the junction between the construction elements belonging to the wooden frame, for example the wall-type elements, on the one hand, and the concrete slab on which the wooden frame is mounted, on the other hand, in order to ensure a tight connection between the first and the second. This solution, which may be satisfactory for the slab-wall junction, cannot however be generalized to the whole building. It would indeed be a technical stopgap, offering little guarantee of effectiveness and durability.

The beams forming construction elements currently used on construction sites are wooden beams, which for the most part are solid, that is to say raw wooden beams directly obtained from a tree.

The document EP3255218A1 discloses a prefabricated "panel" type construction element intended for the production of a construction and in particular of a vertical flat wall, such as a wall of a wooden frame structure. The construction element can also cooperate with beams, for example to form the floor of the construction. Such a beam is illustrated in Figure 11 of the document. The beam comprises two beams each having a T-shaped section and held at a distance from one another and parallel to each other by spacers. Each of the beams has an external face, an internal face formed by the base of the T and two shoulders formed on either side of the sides of the T. The respective internal faces of the beams face each other. The beam is closed by adding closing panels which fit into the shoulders of the stringers, by their longitudinal edges. The longerons are furthermore held apart by spacers which are arranged between the closing panels and which rest by their ends in grooves provided on the internal faces of each of the longerons. The spacers are arranged at regular or irregular intervals, so as to form cavities in which insulation means are arranged. Preferably, the spars are made of solid wood and the panels comprise a material comprising wood and are preferably chosen from medium density wood fiber panels or panels made of hard wood fibers processed under high pressure or particle boards. oriented wood, or plywood panels, or solid wood panels, composite wood panels comprising wood fibers and plastic resins or the like.

The document WO9739204A1 discloses different variants of construction modules, which make it possible to build by hand in a simple manner, without additional transverse connection means and in the dry state, that is to say without additional connection and sealing means, load-bearing structures, including walls.

Document CA2713657A1 discloses a modular construction system in which the outer layer of the outer wall of a composite element has on its underside a groove forming a drip. On the other hand, the outer layer of the outer wall of the underlying element has on its upper face a chamfer ensuring the rejection of water. These two devices cooperate to evacuate rainwater by runoff.

The document WO2012114122A2 discloses the assembly of panels together via an elongated fastening member. The elongated fastener has a core of heat insulating material. And two outer panels sandwich the core between them.

The invention aims to make the structural work of the envelope of a wooden frame structure airtight, watertight and soundproof, from the construction of the structure. Advantageously, airtightness, watertightness and soundproofing are achieved simultaneously.

This object is achieved, according to a first aspect of the invention, thanks to a beam for a structural element of a wooden frame structure, the beam (P) comprising a first and a second beams (P1) extending longitudinally l 'one parallel to the other and at a distance from each other, each of the said beams (P1) having an external face (P2) and an internal face (P3), the internal faces (P3) of the respective beams (P1 ) facing each other, the beam (P) being closed by first and second closing panels (P5, P5') resting on the transverse sides of the beams, the beam being characterized in that the external face of at least one of the beams is provided with at least one longitudinal groove to receive a sealing strip which is adapted to provide sealing between the beam and another component of the construction element, by example a bracing panel or a covering panel of the structure incorporating the beam.

According to the present invention beam and joist are used equivalently and the two terms are interchangeable as required by the present invention. A beam is a structural member of prismatic convex shape or hull, designed to resist bending and joist is a beam of small section (less than 20 cm web).

According to a particularly preferred mode of implementation of the beam according to the invention, the outer face of at least one of the side members, and preferably the outer face of each of the side members, is provided with at least one longitudinal groove for receiving a sealing strip which is adapted to provide sealing between the beam and another component of the construction element, for example a bracing panel or a covering panel of the structure incorporating the beam.

In timber construction, four systems are mainly used. The oldest wood construction technique is that of stacked solid wood, often called a chalet, it consists of solid wood walls mounted by stacking planks, logs, or logs. The most used wood species are Scots pine, spruce or larch. There is also the half-timbered construction or half-timbered house, consisting of a wooden frame which is made up of posts and sandpits whose wood-to-wood assemblies are made with tenons and mortises and are pegged to each other, and the half-timbering which forms the walls and which has a filling and stiffening role. There is also the technique of the beam post is the evolution of the half-timbered construction. The load-bearing structure of the house is made up of posts and beams in glued laminated wood or solid wood, rigidly assembled together, which gives it great non-deformability. The assemblies are made wood against wood, they are said to be beamed, with main or secondary double beams. A glued-laminated beam is made up of wooden slats glued together. Finally, the wooden frame construction which is distinguished by the uprights of its structure which are only the height of the floor, Between the uprights of the frame, an insulation in semi-rigid plates occupies all the empty space available. The invention is particularly useful and effective for constructions with wooden frames which are not made of solid wood which can crack and whose tightness is no longer assured.

It will be noted that the longitudinal term is assessed here by reference to the geometry of the beam, which has a main axis of longitudinal extension. In the structure incorporating the beam, this longitudinal axis may correspond to the vertical axis if the beam is arranged vertically, or to the horizontal axis if the beam is arranged horizontally in said structure. Of course, the beam can also be arranged in the frame of the structure inclined relative to the horizontal by a determined angle, strictly between 0 and 90 degrees ( ie , these two extreme values not included). This is the case, for example, if it belongs to the framework or if it is used as a side of a half-timbered house.

The combination of the aforementioned characteristics makes it possible to produce a complete structure such as a house or a building for domestic, commercial or industrial use, this structure being advantageously modular and adaptable on demand, ensuring perfect airtightness. of the building during construction.

Advantageously, the construction elements forming the shell of the building envelope are thus, in themselves, provided with means to ensure airtightness and watertightness. The acoustics of the building are also improved since external noises, impact noises, vibrations, resonances and reverberations of sounds, etc., are permanently attenuated thanks to the sealing strips.

Modes of implementation, taken in isolation or in combination, further provide that in the beam according to the invention, the first and second beams (P1) are kept at a distance from each other by spacers (P6) extending transversely, which are arranged between the closure panels (P5) and which rest by their ends (P61) in grooves (P31) provided on the internal faces (P3) of each of the longitudinal members (P1).

In another preferred embodiment, the beam according to the invention, the spacers (P6) are arranged at regular or irregular intervals so as to form cavities (P7) closed by the closure panels, said beam further comprising means for insulation arranged in said cavities.

The insulation means according to the invention comprise all forms of so-called natural insulation, for example and without limitation, wood fiber and/or wood wool, wool and/or linen felt, wool cotton, animal wool and/or all forms of wool such as straw, hemp, cork, textiles, feathers, cellulose wadding. Other means of insulation can also be used, such as mineral insulation, for example of the mineral wool, glass wool, rock wool, cellular glass, expanded clay and/or any mineral-based insulation known to date. ). The insulation means of the invention can also be synthetic insulation, for example of the polystyrene, polyurethane, phenolic foam type and/or any synthetic insulation known to date. The person skilled in the art is not limited as to the nature of the usable insulation.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the beam according to the invention, the beams have a T-shaped section, the internal face of the beams being formed by the base of the T and the closing panels fitting together by their longitudinal edges (P51) in shoulders (P4) of the longerons formed on either side of the sides of the T.

According to one embodiment, the section can advantageously and without limitation be U-shaped, or any shape allowing the realization of the invention, the person skilled in the art will not be limited by the shape and the design of the groove.

According to another embodiment of the beam according to the invention, in which at least the spar (P1) which is provided with a longitudinal groove is made of paneled wood, from panels with several layers, for example plywood or made of OSB, and in which the outer layer of a panel forming the outer face of the said spar is a sheet of plywood whose wood grain is oriented in the longitudinal direction X of the beam, or a ply of OSB whose slats of timber are oriented along the longitudinal direction X of the joist, respectively.

In another embodiment of the beam according to the invention, the depth of the longitudinal groove corresponds substantially to the thickness of the outer layer of the panel forming the outer face of the spar.

In another preferred embodiment of the beam according to the invention, in which the closing panels (P5) comprise a material comprising wood, and are preferably chosen from medium density wood fiber panels or panels in hard wood fibers processed under high pressure or oriented wood particle boards, or wooden plywood panels, or solid wood panels, composite wood panels comprising wood fibers and plastic resins or the like.

According to a preferred embodiment of the beam according to the invention, the beam comprising a sealing strip arranged in the longitudinal groove, said sealing strip being adapted to provide sealing between the beam and another component of the construction element, for example a bracing panel or a covering panel of the structure incorporating the beam.

According to a preferred embodiment of the beam according to the invention, in which the sealing strip is a compression strip held in compression by a cover so that, as long as the cover is in place, the sealing strip seal and seal are entirely contained within the groove whereas when the seal is removed the seal strip bulges outward beyond the edges of the longitudinal groove.

According to another embodiment of the beam according to the invention, the beam further comprising at least one intermediate spar (P9) of the same thickness as the first and second spars (P1, ) along the direction of the vertical axis Z of the beam, extending longitudinally parallel to said beams between the internal faces of said beams P1 which face each other, said intermediate beam preferably being arranged at equal distance from the first and second beams in the direction of the transverse axis Y.

In a preferred embodiment of the beam according to the invention, the beam further comprising: above the first and second beams (P1, ) and the intermediate spar (P9, ) along the direction of the vertical axis Z of the beam, an intermediate panel (P5'') extending longitudinally and parallel to the first closing panel (P5), symmetrical to said first closing panel with respect to said beams and to said intermediate spar, said intermediate panel (P5'') being of the same length and the same width as the first and second closing panels (P5, P5');
- other spars (P1') and another intermediate spar (P9') extending longitudinally and parallel to the intermediate panel (P5'') symmetrically with the first and second spars (P1) and the intermediate spar (P9), respectively, with respect to said intermediate panel (P5''),
the second closing panel (P5') being arranged to close the beam by bearing against the upper face of the other side members (P1') and of the other intermediate side member (P9'), symmetrical to the intermediate panel (P5'') relative to said other spars (P1') and to said other intermediate spar (P9').

In a second aspect, the invention also relates to a construction element, chosen from the group among for example of the "wall", "floor" or "frame" type, of a timber frame structure, the construction comprising a beam according to the first aspect above. It can be a wall, for example, with or without openings for doors, windows, patio doors.

A third and last aspect, the invention also relates to a wooden frame structure, for example a house or a building, comprising a construction element according to the second aspect above.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows. This is purely illustrative and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings on which:
the is a perspective view of the frame of a building element, in this case a wall of a timber frame building, in which beams according to embodiments of the invention can be used;
the is a perspective view of a portion of a building wall formed from the frame of the coated with insulation and cladding elements both inside and outside;
the is is a perspective view according to the prior art of a portion of a raw wood frame upright;
the is a perspective view of a portion of a beam according to the prior art, which can replace the amount of the ;
the is a perspective view of a portion of a beam according to a first embodiment;
the is a perspective view of a portion of a beam according to a second embodiment;
the is a perspective view of a portion of a beam according to a third embodiment, particularly suitable for use as a stringer and which is reinforced with respect to the ;
the is a perspective view of a portion of a wooden spar paneled with several layers provided with a longitudinal groove forming a constituent part of a beam according to the embodiments of Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7,
the is a perspective view, from another angle, of the spar portion of the additionally equipped with a sealing strip housed in the longitudinal groove.

In the description of embodiments which follows and in the Figures of the appended drawings, the same or similar elements bear the same reference numerals in the drawings.

The schematically shows a portion of the frame OB of a wooden frame structure, for example a Wooden Frame House (MOB), in which the invention can be applied. In the non-limiting example of the , the portion of frame OB shown is a wall. It is however clearly understood that the invention applies to any other element of the frame of a wooden frame structure comprising frame uprights, for example a floor, a ceiling, a roof element, etc.

To the , the wall is represented vertically, as it is assembled on site from a plurality of dissociated uprights which are brought to the construction site. As a variant, the wall can be installed in place, in the destination structure, after off-site assembly, for example in the workshop, then transport to the place of construction for its installation within the structure under construction.

The mark at the bottom right of the represents the longitudinal direction X1 of the wall along which we measure its length, the transverse direction Y1 of the wall along which we measure its width (we also speak of its thickness), and the vertical direction Z1 of the wall along which we measure its height.

The portion of the frame shown in includes two different types of amounts. The MA uprights of the first type are suitable for a function of bottom rail, top rail (or chaining), window or door lintel or French window, leveling amount under window, or even vertical upright of end of the wall or window or door frame or patio door. The MB uprights of the second type are suitable for making all the other uprights of the OB frame, which participate in the wooden frame in addition to the MA uprights of the first type. They perform the function of framework elements to stiffen the wall (or more generally the structure) and to support the air and water insulation elements, and the interior or exterior of the structure.

To fulfill their various functions as listed above, the beams according to embodiments intended to serve as uprights MA of the first type can be structurally reinforced with respect to beams intended to serve as uprights of the second type MB. This reinforced structure allows, for example, a beam of the second type to support greater loads (exerted in the vertical direction, downwards) or greater mechanical forces (in any other direction) without risk of rupture or risk of buckling of the the beam. Structural variants of the beam will be described below according to embodiments, which make it possible to propose two such types of beam which are distinguished by their respective characteristics of resistance to the load and to the mechanical forces.

The construction of a timber frame wall is very simple. Frame uprights or frame beams PO are used according to the embodiments which will be detailed later, of standardized section. The frame uprights are assembled together by nailing or screwing to form a frame. The center distance between two vertical uprights extending parallel to each other and adjacent to each other, is calculated according to the desired stiffness for the wall, but also according to the type of insulation provided. . Indeed, the center distance between the uprights can correspond to the width of strips of insulation material MI, for example 0.365 m, which strips are then placed between said vertical uprights of the frame. Manufacturers of traditional insulators such as rock wool or glass wool, have developed specific ranges for the insulation of MOBs, for example based on hemp, the detailed presentation of which would go beyond the scope of this description.

Referring now to the , the maintenance of the squareness of the frame (called the "bracing") is ensured by the nailing to the frame of a "working sail" or bracing sail, consisting for example of rigid PC bracing panels. It can be, for example, OSB boards, chipboard, etc. The PO frame uprights that are visible on the are vertical uprights.

PC bracing panels are usually laid on the outer side (designated "Ext1" in the figure) of the building, directly against the face of the PO framing studs facing the outside of the building, and called the outer face in the following. Alternatively, they can also be arranged on the inner side (designated "Int1" in the figure) of the construction, against the side of the upright which faces the interior of the construction, and called the inner side of the spar in the following.

The thickness of the studs, measured along the longitudinal direction X1 of the wall, is in principle 45 mm. And their width, measured along the direction Y1 orthogonal to the surface of the wall, depends on the use: for example 120 mm, 145 mm or 200 mm for the walls of a structure, depending on its destination, or 220 mm for a floor .

Strips of MI insulation material, for example 0.365 m wide along the longitudinal direction X1 of the wall, are then placed between the vertical studs of the frame. The thickness of these strips MI, measured along the direction Y1 orthogonal to the plane of the wall, is equivalent and at most equal to the width of the uprights or structural beams PO used.

On the outer side Ext1 of the structure, a rainscreen is added against the PC bracing veil, formed for example of rigid PI insulation panels made of wood fibers, which is resistant to wind and rain. In some embodiments, it is possible to substitute or add in addition to this rigid rainscreen a flexible rainscreen. An exterior lathing LE is then put in place, which is for example formed of vertical battens nailed or screwed into the frame beams through the insulation panels PI and the bracing panels PC. This LE lathing makes it possible to hang the cladding elements that form the exterior covering of the wall, for example a wooden cladding.

On the interior side Int1 of the structure, an interior lathing LI is put in place, formed for example of horizontal battens nailed or screwed into the framework beams through a vapor barrier veil PV. This lathing LI is used for fixing the interior cladding VI of the wall, for example type BA13 plasterboard or similar.

In the existing art, the frame uprights are made of raw wood, for example spruce, like the upright M represented schematically in . Builders use uprights that are straight, well-dried, of high quality.

However, due to such selection criteria, these raw wood uprights are expensive. Their production also generates a scrap rate and a significant volume of wood waste. This leads to a consumption of wood which is contrary to the interests of the defense of the environment since it increases deforestation.

It also turns out that uprights of this type are the source of thermal bridges between the interior cladding elements and the exterior cladding elements of the building.

The shows an example of a beam conforming to document EP3255218A1 of the prior art, adapted to be advantageously substituted for a raw wood upright as shown in . This beam makes it possible to eliminate the aforementioned thermal bridges. In addition, it makes it possible to reduce the consumption of natural wood very significantly compared to a raw wood upright.

As seen in Figures 3 and 4, the amount M and the beam P are parallelepipedic volumes, of rectangular section. By section, is meant in the context of this description and unless otherwise stated, a section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X of the upright M or of the beam P. At the and at the , in fact, the amount M in raw wood and the beam P have been shown according to the document EP3255218A1, respectively, in a reference frame formed of orthogonal axes X, Y and Z linked to said upright and to said beam, respectively.

This marker differs from the marker formed by the orthogonal axes X1, Y1 and Z1 linked to the wall of the and to the wall portion of the , as specified below with reference to beam P of the :
- the longitudinal axis X linked to the beam P of the is the axis of longitudinal extension of said beam P, that is to say the axis along which the beam P extends longitudinally, and along which the length of the beam is generally measured. The longitudinal axis X of the beam P corresponds to the longitudinal axis X1 of the wall only for the horizontal beams of the frame OB of the . For the vertical beams of the OB frame, the longitudinal axis X of the beam P of the corresponds to the vertical axis Z1 of the wall of the and the wall portion of the ;
- the transverse axis Y of the beam P of the is the axis of transverse extension of the beam, that is to say the axis along which the beam P extends transversely to its longitudinal axis X, and along which the width of the beam is generally measured. The plane formed by the X and Y axes is the plane of the largest faces of the P beam; and finally,
- the vertical axis Z of the beam P of the is the axis orthogonal to the plane of the largest faces of the beam, along which the thickness of the beam is generally measured. The plane formed by the X and Z axes corresponds to the plane of the smallest surfaces of the joist, and to the section plane of the joist represented in section at the . The vertical axis Z of the beam P does not correspond to the vertical axis Z1 of the reference linked to the wall of the and to the wall portion of the than for the horizontal beams of the OB frame of the .

In the rest of this statement, and unless otherwise provided, the terms "above" and "below" as well as their derivatives, the terms "top" and "bottom" as well as indications relating to the thickness of the beam P, are used to designate a relative positioning of two elements and a dimension of the beam P, respectively, along the vertical axis Z of said beam. Likewise, the term "lateral" and its derivatives, as well as indications relating to the width of the beam P are used in reference to the transverse axis Y of said beam. Finally, the term "longitudinal" and its derivatives, as well as indications relating to the length of the beam P, are used in reference to the longitudinal axis X of said beam.

The P beam of the comprises two spars P1 having a T-shaped section, parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction X, and held at a distance from each other in the transverse direction Y, by spacers P6.

In the embodiment as shown, each of the beams has an outer face P2 formed by the bar of the T, an inner face P3 formed by the base of the T and two shoulders P4 formed on either side of the sides of the T. The respective inner faces P3 of the beams P1 face each other. The beam P is closed by adding closure panels P5 and P5' opposite to each other in the vertical direction Z, which rest on the respective transverse sides of the beams, in the direction of the transverse axis Y. In the example shown, the closing panels P5 and P5' fit into the shoulders P4 of the side members, via their longitudinal edges P51.

The P1 beams of the P beam of the are called "corner beams" of the beam in the sense that their external angles form the external angles of the beam P.

The spacers P6 which hold the corner beams P1 at a distance from each other are arranged between the closing panels P5 and P5', and rest by their ends P61 in grooves P31 provided on the internal faces P3 of each P1 stringers. The spacers P6 are arranged at regular or irregular intervals so as to form cavities P7 in which insulation means are arranged.

In some embodiments, the corner beams P1 are made of solid wood as shown in . The closure panels P5 and P5' can advantageously be made of a material comprising wood, and they are preferably chosen from medium density wood fiber panels or panels made of hard wood fibers transformed under high pressure, or panels of oriented wood particles, or wood plywood panels, or solid wood panels, composite wood panels comprising wood fibers and plastic resins or the like.

The shows a first embodiment of a beam according to the invention. This embodiment relates to a beam which can advantageously replace an amount of the first type MA of the wooden frame OB of the .

Mainly, the P beam of the is identical to the P beam of the , and thereby eliminates thermal bridges in the OB timber frame structure of the . However, the P beam of the further comprises a longitudinal groove P8 provided on the outer face P2 of at least one of the two beams P1 of the beam, and preferably such a groove P8 on the outer face P2 of each of said opposite beams P1.

The longitudinal grooves P8 are adapted to receive a sealing strip which is adapted to provide sealing between the spar and another element of the structure incorporating the beam. It can be the bracing veil, or a covering element of the wooden frame incorporating the beam. Thus arranged, the sealing strip can provide airtightness and watertightness at the interface between the corresponding spar of the beam P, on the one hand, and for example the bracing web formed from the panels bracing PC of the , on the other hand. This makes it possible to make the wooden frame structure airtight and watertight as soon as it is assembled.

The sealing strip can for example be a strip of elastic foam with a thickness, in the compressed state, equal to 1 mm for example. The depth of the groove, measured along the transverse direction Y of the beam, is then preferably at least 1 mm, so that the compression strip is entirely contained in the groove, in its compressed state. Thus, the compression band is protected in the groove as long as it remains compressed. Conversely, the depth of the groove is less than the height of the compression band, measured from the bottom of the groove, in the decompressed state of the band. Thus, the strip protrudes from the edges of the groove and can be crushed when assembling the beam with the other construction element of the structure coming against the external face (or the external face, if applicable), in support against the edges of the groove. This crushing ensures the desired sealing function.

In a first mode of implementation, the compression band can be pre-installed in the groove P8 of the beam P. In other words, the beam can be supplied with the compression band housed in the groove P8 while being held in compression by a lid, so as not to protrude from the edges of the groove and therefore not risk being damaged or torn off during transport and handling of the beam until its assembly.

In one embodiment, the cap may have the same dimension as the compression band in the vertical direction Z, and thus be entirely contained in the groove like said band. Advantageously, the foam of the compression band and its holding cap in the compressed state can thus be entirely housed in the groove P8. They are thus protected during handling of the beam P, in particular for the storage and transport of the beam.

In summary, the sealing strip can be a compression strip held in compression by a lid so that, as long as the lid is in place, the sealing strip and the lid are fully housed in the groove then that, when the seal is removed, the sealing strip bulges outward beyond the edges of the longitudinal groove.

As a variant, this lid can be replaced or supplemented by an adhesive film which can adhere, by any suitable means, for example glue, to the outer surface P2 of the spar P1, covering the entire groove P8. The dimension along the direction of the vertical axis Z of such an adhesive strip is then greater than the corresponding dimension of the groove, being at most equal to the corresponding dimension of the outer face of the spar comprising the longitudinal groove P8.

In another mode of implementation, the sealing strip can be put in place by the operator worker, on the construction site during the assembly of the structure, for example after assembly of the wooden frame, at the when attaching PC bracing panels, for example. If it is a compression band, its lid ensuring the compression of the insulating foam is arranged so that it can be removed when the band has been placed in the groove.

Once in place in the P8 groove, and/or once removed the seal that holds the sealing strip in compression in the groove, if applicable, the latter inflates slowly for around 15 to 20 minutes. This provides the operator with the time needed to place and secure the PC bracing panels against the corresponding part of the timber frame which includes the joist. When the swelling of the compression band is completely complete, the air and watertightness at the interface between the beam P and the bracing panels PC thus installed is total.

As in the prior art P-joist shown in , the space between the inner faces of the beams P1 forms a cavity P7 which is advantageously filled with a sealing material, preferably a material comprising wood. This cavity P7 can be segmented into several respective cavities, along the longitudinal direction X, by spacers (not shown in ) identical to the P6 spacers of the P beam of the .

The shows a first embodiment variant of the P beam of the . This embodiment variant relates to a beam P which can advantageously replace an amount of the second type MB of the wooden frame OB of the . Indeed, this variant provides greater rigidity to the beam, compared to the P beam of the .

In the P beam of the , the longitudinal beams P1 do not have a T-shaped section (it being recalled that the term “section” means a section in a plane orthogonal to the direction of the longitudinal axis X). They have a square or rectangular section. Their respective outer face P2 is always provided with the longitudinal groove P8 intended to receive the sealing strip. Nevertheless, the closing panels P5 and P5' come to rest, by their respective internal face, against the respective faces of the beams P1 which are turned downwards and upwards from the beam P, respectively (in the direction of the vertical axis Z). The longitudinal edges P51 of the closing panels P5 and P5' arrive at right, in the direction of the vertical axis Z, of the outer faces P2 of the beams P1. The closing panels P5 and P5' of the beam P of the may thus be thicker than the corresponding panels of the P beam of the . In addition, the P1 beams are more robust in the P beam embodiment of the that the corresponding side members of the P beam of the , which are machined to give them the T-shape, and which are therefore weakened by the corresponding material removal.

The P1 beams of the P beam of the are no longer strictly speaking "corner beams" of the beam, given that the external angles of the beam P are here formed by the external angles of the longitudinal edges P51 of the closing panels P5 and P5'.

In order to further reinforce the rigidity of the P beam of the , embodiments provide for the insertion of one (or more) intermediate spar(s) P9 of the same thickness as the spars P1, extending longitudinally parallel to the spars P1, between the internal faces of the said spars P1 which are facing each other. Preferably, the intermediate spar P9 is arranged at equal distance from the spars P1 in the direction of the transverse axis Y. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the intermediate spar P9 creates two cavities P7 of longitudinal extension, between said intermediate spar P9 and each of the two spars P1, respectively. These two cavities P7 can be segmented into several respective cavities, adjacent in pairs along the longitudinal direction X, by spacers (not shown) identical to the spacers P6 of the beam P of the .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more intermediate spars such as the P9 intermediate spar of the can also be provided in a P beam according to the embodiment of the .

The shows a second alternative embodiment of the P beam of the . This embodiment variant relates to a beam P which can advantageously replace an amount of the second type MB of the wooden frame OB of the , and which have an even greater rigidity than the P beam of the .

The P beam of the is identical to that of the , except for the fact that it comprises, above the side members P1 and the intermediate side member P9, an intermediate panel P5'', extending longitudinally and parallel to the first closing panel P5, symmetrical to the said first panel P5 with respect to the side members P1 and P9. In addition, the beam comprises other beams P1' and another intermediate beam P9' extending longitudinally and parallel to the intermediate panel P5'' in symmetry of the beams P1 and of the intermediate beam P9 with respect to said intermediate panel P5''. Finally, the second closing panel P5' closes the beam P by bearing against the upper face of the side members P1' and of the intermediate side member P9', symmetrically with the intermediate panel P5'' with respect to said side members P1' and said intermediate side member P9'. The intermediate panel P5'' is of the same length and the same width as the closing panels P5 and P5', in order to keep the beam P its parallelepiped shape. The parallelepiped of the is simply thicker (in the direction of the vertical axis Z) than that of FIGS. 5 and 6, which helps to give it greater rigidity. This greater rigidity is thus obtained without requiring a rough wooden beam of greater thickness in the direction of the vertical axis Z, therefore at lower cost and with an overall lower quantity of wood.

In one embodiment, the other beams P1' comprise, like the beams P1, a longitudinal groove P8' on their respective external face. This other longitudinal groove P8' is structurally and functionally identical to the longitudinal groove P8 of the beams P1. In other words, this groove P8' can receive an additional sealing strip, which makes it possible to further improve the airtightness and watertightness of the structure incorporating the beam P of the .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a "sandwich" structure as described above with reference to the , comprising the addition of the beams P1', the intermediate beam P9' and the internal panel P5'', can also be provided in a beam P according to the embodiment of the . In this case, the beams P1' preferably have a T-shaped section like the beams P1.

In one embodiment illustrated by the and the , the beams P1 and/or P1' can be made of paneled wood, from panels with several layers (“multi-ply” panels), for example of ordinary plywood as shown in the figures, or of OSB (from the English “ Oriented Strand Board ”). In the latter case, the panels are preferably made of OSB 4, which can be used outdoors (under cover).

As its name suggests, OSB is a panel of thin, long, oriented slats of wood. These are glued and then distributed in several layers, oriented differently to optimize the resistance and stability of the panel. The mattress of strips is then fired at high temperatures and pressures.

In addition, an advantage of making the uprights from OSB panels is a saving in the amount of wood required, which is 83% less solid wood for passive construction, and up to 65% less wood in less for a construction that complies with the RT 2020 standard. This achievement therefore makes it possible to limit the impact of the construction of timber frame structures on deforestation.

Unlike panels made of wood fibers, particles or strips, an ordinary plywood panel is made of rolled sheets of wood. These "plies" are layered by crossing the direction of the grain of the wood to ensure good resistance to twisting and loading. They are then glued under pressure.

From the above-mentioned processes for manufacturing OSB panels or plywood boards, characteristics such as high mechanical strength, high dimensional stability and high density of the material result. The spars made from such panels or such boards, and therefore the beam incorporating them, inherit these excellent properties.

As shown in Figures 8 and 9, a spar P1 can thus comprise four plywood panels with longitudinal extension, that is to say extending along the longitudinal axis X of the beam. Among these four panels, two first panels parallel to each other and opposite along the vertical axis Z of the beam also extend along the transverse axis Y of the beam, and two second panels parallel to each other and opposite along the axis transverse Y of the beam further extending along the vertical axis Z of the beam. These four panels facing each other in pairs form a hollow tube of rectangular or square section. The internal space included in this tube can be filled with agglomerated wood fibers, in order to reinforce the rigidity of the spar.

In addition, an advantage of making the uprights from OSB panels is a saving in the amount of wood required, which is 83% less solid wood for passive construction, and up to 65% less wood in less for an RT 2020 construction. This achievement therefore makes it possible to limit the impact of the construction of timber frame structures on deforestation.

In one embodiment, when the spar P1 is made from plywood panels as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the outer layer of the panel forming the outer face P2 of the spar is a sheet of plywood whose wood grain is oriented along the longitudinal direction X of the beam. When the spar P1 is made from OSB panels, the outer layer of the panel forming the outer face P2 of the spar is an OSB ply whose wooden slats are oriented along the longitudinal direction X of the joist. Thus, the formation of the groove by removal of material is facilitated. Indeed, it suffices to advance the unmachined beam along its longitudinal axis against a tool such as a chisel, a milling cutter or the like, to dig the longitudinal groove.

Ideally, the depth of the longitudinal groove can roughly correspond to the thickness of the outer layer of the panel forming the outer face of the spar. Thus, the formation of the groove as described above amounts to removing the entire outer layer of the panel, which is easy because the underlying layer is more resistant since it is formed from a sheet of wood with differently oriented ribs, or a ply of OSB with differently oriented wood slats, respectively.

The present invention has been described and illustrated in this detailed description and in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in possible embodiments. The present invention is not, however, limited to the embodiments shown. Other variants and embodiments can be deduced and implemented by those skilled in the art on reading this description and the accompanying drawings.

For example, and in order to reinforce the power of insulation against air and water, it is possible to provide two longitudinal grooves in parallel to one another, or more, on the external face of a spar at least of the beam, for example of one and/or the other of the spars P1 of the beam P of the or the . In other words, the outer face P2 of each spar P1 can comprise a plurality of longitudinal grooves parallel to each other, and each adapted to receive a respective sealing strip.

In the claims, the term "comprising" or "comprising" does not exclude other elements or other steps. A single processor or several other units can be used to implement the invention. The various characteristics presented and/or claimed can be advantageously combined. Their presence in the description or in different dependent claims does not exclude this possibility. The reference signs cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

Beam for a construction element of a wooden frame structure, the beam (P) comprising a first and a second longitudinal beams (P1) extending longitudinally one parallel to the other and at a distance from one another , each of said spars (P1) comprising an outer face (P2) and an inner face (P3), the respective inner faces (P3) of the spars (P1) facing each other, the beam (P) being closed by first and second closing panels (P5, P5') resting on the transverse sides of the beams, the beam being characterized in that the external face of at least one of the beams is provided with at least one longitudinal groove to receive a sealing strip which is adapted to provide sealing between the beam and another component of the construction element, by example a bracing panel or a covering panel of the structure incorporating the beam.
Beam according to Claim 1, characterized in that the external face of at least one of the beams, and preferably the external face of each of the beams, is provided with at least one longitudinal groove to receive a sealing strip which is adapted to seal between the beam and another component of the construction element, for example a bracing panel or a covering panel of the structure incorporating the beam.
Beam according to any one of claims 1 to 2, in which the first and second spars (P1) are held at a distance from each other by transversely extending struts (P6) which are arranged between the panels closure (P5) and which rest by their ends (P61) in grooves (P31) formed on the internal faces (P3) of each of the respective beams (P1).
Beam according to Claim 3, in which the spacers (P6) are arranged at regular or irregular intervals so as to form cavities (P7) closed by the closing panels, the said beam further comprising insulation means arranged in the said cavities.
Beam according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the beams have a T-shaped section, the internal face of the beams being formed by the base of the T and the closing panels fitting together by their longitudinal edges (P51 ) in the shoulders (P4) of the longerons formed on either side of the sides of the T.
Beam according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which at least the spar (P1) which is provided with a longitudinal groove is made of paneled wood, from multi-layered panels, for example of plywood or OSB , and in which the outer layer of a panel forming the outer face of said spar is a sheet of plywood whose wood grain is oriented along the longitudinal direction X of the beam, or an OSB ply whose wood slats are oriented along the longitudinal direction X of the beam, respectively.
Beam according to Claim 6, in which the depth of the longitudinal groove corresponds substantially to the thickness of the outer layer of the panel forming the outer face of the spar.
Beam according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the closure panels (P5) comprise a material comprising wood, and are preferably chosen from medium density wood fiber panels or hard fiber panels of high pressure processed wood or oriented wood particle boards, or wood plywood panels, or solid wood panels, composite wood panels comprising wood fibers and plastic resins or the like.
Beam according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, comprising a sealing strip arranged in the longitudinal groove, the said sealing strip being adapted to seal between the beam and another component of the construction element, for example a bracing panel or a covering panel of the structure incorporating the beam.
A beam according to claim 9, in which the sealing strip is a compression strip held in compression by a lid so that, while the lid is in place, the sealing strip and the lid are entirely contained in the groove whereas, when the lid is removed, the sealing strip bulges outwards beyond the edges of the longitudinal groove.
Beam according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one intermediate spar (P9) of the same thickness as the first and second spars (P1, figure 6) in the direction of the vertical axis Z of the joist , extending longitudinally parallel to said beams between the internal faces of said beams P1 which are turned towards each other, said intermediate beam preferably being arranged at equal distance from the first and second beams in the direction of the transverse axis Y .
Beam according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising:
- above the first and second spars (P1, figure 7) and the intermediate spar (P9, figure 7) in the direction of the vertical axis Z of the beam, an intermediate panel (P5'') extending longitudinally and parallel to the first closure panel (P5), symmetrical to said first closure panel with respect to said spars and to said intermediate spar, said intermediate panel (P5'') being of the same length and the same width as the first and second panels of closing (P5,P5');
- other spars (P1') and another intermediate spar (P9') extending longitudinally and parallel to the intermediate panel (P5'') symmetrically with the first and second spars (P1) and the intermediate spar (P9), respectively, with respect to said intermediate panel (P5''),
the second closing panel (P5') being arranged to close the beam by bearing against the upper face of the other side members (P1') and of the other intermediate side member (P9'), symmetrical to the intermediate panel (P5'') relative to said other spars (P1') and to said other intermediate spar (P9').
Building element chosen from the group among wall, or floor or frame of a timber frame structure, the building element comprising a beam according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A timber frame structure, for example a house or a building, the structure comprising a building element according to claim 13.