WO2023023801A1

WO2023023801A1 - System and apparatus for a structural beam

Info

Publication number: WO2023023801A1
Application number: PCT/AU2022/051029
Authority: WO
Inventors: Artur Zkakis Candido; James Cicero
Original assignee: Wallace Building Systems Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-25
Filing date: 2022-08-25
Publication date: 2023-03-02
Also published as: AU2022335164A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a structural beam product comprising an outer wall, and; at least one cross-sectional element configured within the outer wall to form a load path through the structural beam product that optimises the second moment of area of the structural beam product such that in the direction of an applied load to the structural beam product the loaded cross-sectional area of the structural beam product is maximised at the extremities of the structural beam product and minimised at a centroidal axis of the structural beam product.

Description

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR A STRUCTURAL BEAM

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[001] This application claims the priority of Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2021902720 in the name of Wallace Building Systems Pty Ltd, which was filed on 25 August 2021 , entitled “System and Apparatus for a Structural Beam” and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[002] The present invention relates to the field of building and construction. In one form, the invention relates to beams for structural support of constructions. In one particular aspect the present invention is suitable for use as a replacement for existing timber and steel structural beams. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to a structural beam for use in flooring sections and balcony structures, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only.

BACKGROUND ART

[003] Throughout this specification the use of the word “inventor” in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present invention.

[004] It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor’s knowledge and experience and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

[005] Existing timber and steel structural beams are becoming increasingly expensive due to raw material shortages. Furthermore, timber beams are not able to span great lengths and steel beams, while being able to span larger distances, they are heavy resulting in handling issues in the construction of buildings and dwellings amongst other structures.

[006] With respect to timber beams, these have been readily available in the construction industry. They are easy to work with and are considered as a green carbon solution. Timber has been an available option in the construction and building industry for considerable time. Hover, timber is becoming expensive and hard to purchase. Furthermore, its material properties are not as efficient when comparing their weight to stiffness properties.

[007] With respect to steel beams, these have also been readily available and they have high stiffness performance. It is also considered the only high strength alternative option to timber currently available to the market. However, steel is heavy and it does lend itself for optimizing of load path across sections of building materials made from steel. It is also an expensive product to work with. Steel beam profiles use a hot rolling process to form the beam profile. This process does not allow for complex beam profile sections.

[008] US patent publication No. 2021/0010280 (Peri GmbH) discloses an I-beam having a central web section which has timber flanges at either end. This prior art product combines two different materials to form one structural beam in an attempt to provide u useful building product. The composite formation also requires post-extrusion processing. Embodiments of US 2021/0010280 show constructions in which the timber flanges of Figures 1 and 2 have been replaced by extruded flanges.

[009] US 2014/0272210 (Patsy) discloses an extrusion, which generally has four sides and is quadrangular in cross-section. A web member may extend the inside of the crosssection of the extrusion between two of the sides. The web member thus may bisect the interior of extrusion forming a first interior cavity and a second interior cavity. The first and second cavities may be equally dimensioned in cross-section. The extrusion may be a metal extrusion formed from aluminium and/or steel. However, the design of the extrusion of US 2014/0272210 makes it subject to a lack of torsional/bending stiffness.

[0010] WO 2018/201203 (Tomm Tech) discloses what is described as a “panel channel system”. Accordingly, this is not a beam designed to take any significant structural bending loads. [0011 ] DE 9407428 U1 (Witte Horst Entwicklung) discloses members of a truss system which combine to form a structural truss system. Although the members shown in DE 9407428 U1 do have vertical stiffener ribs, they may be subject to a lack of torsional stability.

[0012] The preceding discussion of background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems.

[0014] In general, the present invention provides a structural beam product comprising, in combination: an outer wall which forms a circumference of the structural beam, and; at least two diagonal cross-sectional elements which: intersect at a centroidal axis of the structural beam product; and are integral with, and configured within, the outer wall, to form a load path through the structural beam product that optimises the second moment of area of the structural beam product such that in the direction of an applied load to the structural beam product the loaded cross-sectional area of the structural beam product is maximised at the extremities of the structural beam product and minimised at that centroidal axis of the structural beam product.

[0015] Preferably, the structural beam product may further comprise at least one centrally transverse element which is integral with, and configured within, the outer wall, to form a load path through the structural beam product.

[0016] In general, the present invention also provides a structural beam product comprising, in combination: an outer wall, and; at least one cross-sectional element to form a load path through the structural beam product that optimises the second moment of area of the structural beam product such that in the direction of an applied load to the structural beam product the loaded cross-sectional area of the structural beam product is maximised at the extremities of the structural beam product and minimised at a centroidal axis of the structural beam product, wherein the at least one cross-sectional element is configured within the outer wall.

[0017] In a first aspect of embodiments described herein the outer wall forms a circumference of the structural beam product and the at least one cross-sectional element comprises one or a combination of: centrally transverse elements and; diagonal elements.

[0018] In another aspect of embodiments described herein the structural beam product is one of: a general-purpose building product; a floor section building product, or; a balcony section building product.

[0019] In yet a further aspect of embodiments described herein the structural beam product is comprised of extruded aluminium.

[0020] The present invention may also provide for a system for construction of a building comprising the use of a structural beam product as disclosed herein.

[0021 ] Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

[0022] In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that with raw material shortages and limitations of traditional building materials, there is impetus for the introduction of high strength to weight materials and structures in the building and construction industry. Accordingly, noting the increased limitations of building materials, the inventor’s attention was directed to the physics and geometry of structures where it was realised that an optimisation of the second moment of area, being a decisive characteristic of building components of any material composition, will extend the options available for structural components in building and construction. In this respect, it followed that the use of a plurality of shear webs, preferably substantially uniform shear webs, between load surfaces of a beam will extend the usefulness of materials, particularly lightweight materials, for building and construction.

[0023] Advantages provided by the present invention comprise the following:

• Comparatively lightweight material such as aluminium may be used in a structural beam optimized by the present invention to provide a more cost effective, lightweight high spanning structural beam;

• Lighter material may be used for a structural beam as an alternative or replacement for steel structural beams;

• A structural beam optimised by the present invention may provide a useful alternative for timber structural beams;

• Handling of a lighter structural beam reduces risk of injury to beam installers;

• Introducing another base material such as aluminium reduces the reliance on timber and steel supplies.

[0024] Accordingly, the advantageous features of the present invention contribute substantially to the working of a building product by providing a construction which is simpler to manufacture, more resistant to torsion, and uses less material.

[0025] Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates by way of example the Second Moment of Area for the shape and orientation of a structural product in accordance with prior art knowledge; FIG. 2 shows a prior art structural beam product and illustrates the optimisation of the Second Moment of Area of that prior art product in accordance with prior art knowledge;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional end view of a structural beam product that is produced in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4a shows another cross-sectional end view of a structural beam product that is produced in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4b shows a side view of a structural beam product that is produced in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4c shows a perspective view of a structural beam product that is produced in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG.5a shows a cross-sectional end view of a structural beam product that is produced in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5b shows a side view of a structural beam product that is produced in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5c shows a perspective view of a structural beam product that is produced in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a floor construction showing an exemplary use of the structural beam product of FIG.’s 3 and 4;

FIG. 7 is top view of a floor construction showing an exemplary use of the structural beam product of FIG.’s 3 and 4, and;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a floor construction showing an exemplary use of the structural beam product of FIG.’s 3 and 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In considering the problems highlighted above with respect to the prior art, the inventor has considered the physics of structural forms. In this respect, the "Second Moment of Area" is required for calculating bending stress and it is the property used to calculate stress in a beam cross-section during the action of bending under an applied load. The Second Moment of Area, often denoted as, I, may also be referred to as the "Moment of Inertia" of an object, or more particularly, the shape of an object. Generally speaking, I relates to the area of material in the cross-section of an object and the displacement of that area from the centroid, i.e., the centre of area. Once the centroid is located for an object, important structural properties of the shape can be calculated. I may be considered a measure of the 'efficiency' of a cross-sectional shape to resist bending caused by structural loading, noting that a beam tends to change its shape when loaded. As such, the Second Moment of Area is a measure of a shape's resistance to change. By way of explanation, the principal is clearly illustrated in FIG. 1 , which depicts the following scene. In the left-hand portion of FIG. 1 a beam B1 is placed on its narrow edge supported at both ends. A man is walking on the straight beam B1 . In the right-hand side of FIG. 1 the same beam, this time depicted as B2, is resting on its flat side supported at both ends. A man is walking on the straight beam B2 and it is bending in the middle. Notably, both beams in FIG. 1 have the same area and even the same shape in cross-section making them effectively identical. Nonetheless, B1 is stronger than B2. B1 is stronger than B2 because it has a higher Second Moment of Area, I.

[0028] For a rectangular cross-sectional shape, the Second Moment of Area is calculated as follows:

I = bh³/12 where b is breadth (horizontal) and h is height (vertical) if the load is vertical, which equates to a gravity load.

[0029] It follows that certain shapes are better than others at resisting the bending of an object caused by loading as demonstrated in FIG. 1 , which also shows that the orientation of the shape also influences the resistance to bending. Accordingly, it would be appreciated that the best way to obtain a high Second Moment of Inertia would be to place as much cross-sectional area as possible the furthest distance away from the centroidal axis, otherwise referred to as the neutral plane. FIG. 2 provides an example of this optimisation by way of a known I-beam in which most of the cross-sectional area is concentrated away from the centroid (denoted by axis x-x). However, the upper and lower flanges must be held together to prevent slipping or shear deformation. The upper and lower flanges take most of the load in the form of tension/compression and the vertical web denoted by y-y holds the two flanges together working to prevent shear.

[0030] In arriving at particular embodiments, as described herein, it has been realised that the use of the available materials on the market and various production methods are different between different engineering disciplines. For example, aluminium is widely used in aerospace and automotive engineering however, that particular material does not see much use in the construction industry. By reviewing how traditional construction materials are utilized it was shown that an opportunity exists to introduce aluminium extrusions to act as a structural alternative to steel and timber beams.

[0031 ] In a preferred embodiment, a structural beam, generally indicated by 100, for use in the fabrication and construction of buildings and other structures is shown in FIG.

3. The width W, height H and wall thickness T of the product are indicated and so as to provide an orientation of the product in its use in construction, a vertical load would be applied substantially in the direction the product’s height H.

[0032] The product 100 is preferably made from extruded aluminium. The star formation of cross-sectional supporting elements 1 and 2 are provided to optimise the second moment of area of the product. Elements 1 and 2 act as shear resisting webs. As shown, elements 1 are centrally transverse or vertical cross-section elements and elements 2 are diagonal cross-section elements. This first embodiment may be suitable for use as a general-purpose structural beam and may be useable, for example, as a floor section building product. Exemplary use of this product is shown in FIG.’s 6, 7 and 8.

[0033] As is illustrated by FIG. 4a, an optimised load path for an exemplary structural beam is formed by connecting the top surface denoted by reference numerals A to the bottom surface denoted by reference numerals C through the center of the structure B, i.e., the centroid, by the use of a plurality of shear webs namely elements 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. 4a and also in FIG. 3 and other Figures. By way of explanation of the structure and function of the shear web, a or each structural web member connects between or links the upper (AAA) and lower (CCC) surface of the beam, where the thickness of surfaces AAA and CCC may vary individually or collectively in various embodiments. Differences in the loading of the upper surface (AAA) and the lower surface (CCC) results in a shear force load on the interposing centre webs. As the beam is loaded (see load, force P, indicated in FIG. 4b) normal to surface AAA, the top surface of the beam (AAA) is placed into tension and the lower surface CCC is placed into compression. The beam’s ability to resist the bending is increased by having a plurality of, and in this case three, shear webs linking the top and bottom surfaces. This design enables the least amount of extrusion section (i.e., least amount of material) with the most load capability on the beam. The concept of a plurality of internal shear webs may be applied to a beam of any dimension, namely a variety of widths, heights and thicknesses and still provide the additional bending stiffness. Of course, the applied concept is embodied by substantially hollow beams where the cross-sectional make-up of the beam apart from its periphery or circumference, shown as outer wall(s) 3 in the Figures is, in fact, the plurality of shear web elements 1 , 2, as illustrated in the Figures. With respect to the dimensions of the shear web elements per se, a thickness that varies as a function of the distance from the top and bottom surfaces of the beam, AAA and CCC, respectively, may contribute to structural integrity of the top and bottom surfaces themselves but does not make any substantial contribution to the beam’s bending stiffness, i.e., resistance to shear.

[0034] By optimising the second moment of area of the beam product in this way, it will provide a high stiffness for a given material. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, the beam may be made from light weigh aluminium, which will be a suitable alternative to steel and/or timber. This will provide for products of less weight and higher span with added cost benefit compared to existing material options. Material is effectively only used in such a product where it will provide stiffness.

[0035] An alternate configuration of the cross-section elements is shown with a second embodiment that is illustrated in FIG.’s 5a, 5b and 5c. In this embodiment, both crosssection elements 1 and 2 are diagonal cross-section elements and there are no centrally transverse or vertical cross-section elements required. This embodiment may be suitable for use as a balcony section building product.

[0036] Variations in design of the structural beam product are possible and may comprise different dimensions to the beams utilizing the same cross section design. Further modification of the beams second moment of area is possible using readily available drafting and CAE tools, as would be appreciated by the person skilled in the art. The cross section selected has been optimized to provide the best bending stiffness in a single direction whilst minimizing the mass of the beam. Testing of embodiments and variations envisaged in accordance with the present invention may be carried out utilising computer aided simulation. In exemplary embodiments, by utilizing the Australian Standards for aluminium structures and construction, live and dead load targets can be established for allowable deflection of the structure of a given structural beam. By varying the height and width of the beam and keeping the internal star pattern stiffening web element arrangement, variations of the design can be used to suit different loading requirements.

FIG.’s 6, 7 and 8 show a use of the structural beam product of the first described embodiment in a floor section construction. Typically, and with reference to FIG. 8, a beam product may be utilised in alternate dimensions as a floor bearer component BRR and a floor joist JST, respectively. This construction may then be the structural support for a floor FLR as shown in FIG. 8.

[0037] While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

[0038] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

[0039] Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, any means- plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures.

The following sections I - VII provide a guide to interpreting the present specification.

I. Terms

[0040] The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and/or composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0041 ] The term “process” means any process, algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0042] Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a “step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in the mere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficient antecedent basis.

[0043] The term “invention” and the like mean “the one or more inventions disclosed in this specification”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0044] The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “another embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the disclosed invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0045] The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0046] A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0047] The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0048] The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0049] The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0050] The term “herein” means “in the present specification, including anything which may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0051 ] The phrase “at least one of’, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things), means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel. The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things, does not mean “one of each of” the plurality of things.

[0052] Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase “one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore the phrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

[0053] The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on”. The phrase “based at least on” is equivalent to the phrase “based at least in part on”.

[0054] The term “represent” and like terms are not exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the term “represents” do not mean “represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “the data represents a credit card number” describes both “the data represents only a credit card number” and “the data represents a credit card number and the data also represents something else”.

[0055] The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that the term “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

[0056] The term “e.g.,” and like terms mean “for example”, and thus does not limit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over the Internet”, the term “e.g.,” explains that “instructions” are an example of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet, and also explains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” that the computer may send over the Internet. However, both “instructions” and “a data structure” are merely examples of “data”, and other things besides “instructions” and “a data structure” can be “data”.

[0057] The term “i.e.,” and like terms mean “that is”, and thus limits the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the Internet”, the term “i.e.” explains that “instructions” are the “data” that the computer sends over the Internet.

[0058] Any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numbers within the range. For example, the range “1 to 10” shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1.1 ,

I .2, . . . 1.9).

II. Determining

[0059] The term “determining” and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., to determine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense. The term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like. [0060] The term “determining” does not imply certainty or absolute precision, and therefore “determining” can include estimating, extrapolating, predicting, guessing and the like.

[0061 ] The term “determining” does not imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used, and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.

[0062] The term “determining” does not imply that any particular device must be used. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform the determining.

III. Indication

[0063] The term “indication” is used in an extremely broad sense. The term “indication” may, among other things, encompass a sign, symptom, or token of something else.

[0064] The term “indication” may be used to refer to any indicia and/or other information indicative of or associated with a subject, item, entity, and/or other object and/or idea.

[0065] As used herein, the phrases “information indicative of” and “indicia” may be used to refer to any information that represents, describes, and/or is otherwise associated with a related entity, subject, or object.

[0066] Indicia of information may include, for example, a symbol, a code, a reference, a link, a signal, an identifier, and/or any combination thereof and/or any other informative representation associated with the information.

[0067] In some embodiments, indicia of information (or indicative of the information) may be or include the information itself and/or any portion or component of the information. In some embodiments, an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a broadcast, and/or any other form of information gathering and/or dissemination.

IV. Forms of Sentences

[0068] Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least one widget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a definite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”), this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than one widget).

[0069] When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a “first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a “second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” (1 ) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.

[0070] When a single device or article is described herein, more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device/article that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate).

[0071 ] Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device/article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device/article.

[0072] The functionality and/or the features of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are described but are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, have such functionality/features.

V. Disclosed Examples and Terminology Are Not Limiting

[0073] Neither the Title nor the Abstract in this specification is intended to be taken as limiting in any way as the scope of the disclosed invention(s). The title and headings of sections provided in the specification are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[0074] Numerous embodiments are described in the present application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognise that the disclosed invention(s) may be practised with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0075] The present disclosure is not a literal description of all embodiments of the invention(s). Also, the present disclosure is not a listing of features of the invention(s) which must be present in all embodiments.

[0076] A description of an embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such components/features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no component/feature is essential or required.

[0077] Although process steps, operations, algorithms or the like may be described in a particular sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non- simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention(s), and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

[0078] Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps, that does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step is essential or required.

[0079] Although a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, that does not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

[0080] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, a PDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.

[0081 ] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other or readily substituted for each other.

[0082] All embodiments are illustrative, and do not imply that the invention or any embodiments were made or performed, as the case may be.

Claims

1 . A structural beam product comprising, in combination: an outer wall, and; at least one cross-sectional element to form a load path through the structural beam product that optimises the second moment of area of the structural beam product such that in the direction of an applied load to the structural beam product the loaded cross- sectional area of the structural beam product is maximised at the extremities of the structural beam product and minimised at a centroidal axis of the structural beam product, wherein the at least one cross-sectional element is configured within the outer wall.

2. A structural beam product as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer wall forms a circumference of the structural beam product and the at least one cross-sectional element comprises one or a combination of: centrally transverse elements and; diagonal elements.

3. A structural beam product as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the structural beam product is one of: a general-purpose building product; a floor section building product, or; a balcony section building product.

4. A structural beam product as claimed in claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the structural beam product is comprised of extruded aluminium.

5. A system for construction of a building comprising the use of a structural beam product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A structural beam product comprising, in combination: an outer wall which forms a circumference of the structural beam, and; at least two diagonal cross-sectional elements which: intersect at a centroidal axis of the structural beam product; and are integral with, and configured within, the outer wall, to form a load path through the structural beam product that optimises the second moment of area of the structural beam product such that in the direction of an applied load to the structural beam product the loaded cross-sectional area of the structural beam product is maximised at the extremities of the structural beam product and minimised at that centroidal axis of the structural beam product.

7. A structural beam product as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: at least one centrally transverse element which is integral with, and configured within, the outer wall, to form a load path through the structural beam product.

8. A structural beam product as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the structural beam product is one of: a general-purpose building product; a floor section building product, or; a balcony section building product.

9. A structural beam product as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the structural beam product is comprised of extruded aluminium.

10. A system for construction of a building comprising the use of a structural beam product as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9.

1 1. A structural beam product as herein disclosed.

12. A system as herein disclosed.