AU2004203867B2 - A building system - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "A BUILDING SYSTEM" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:

TITLE

"A BUILDING SYSTEM" THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION THE INVENTION RELATES to a building system and a method of building. In particular, the invention relates to a building system and a method of constructing reinforced concrete walls.

BACKGROUND

With currently available building techniques houses and high-rise buildings are formed by either normal bricklaying methods or by arranging and joining pre-cast concrete sections. Pre-cast concrete sections are prepared off-site and transported to the building site, thus increasing the cost and labour of building. Furthermore, the pre-cast concrete sections are heavy and require cranes etc. to locate the sections into place. Once located the pre-cast sections are tied together using tie rods threaded through adjoining sections.

WO 92/03622 describes the use of reinforced steel fabric or expanded steel mesh bent to form rectangular or triangular corrugations. A thin layer of concrete, or shortcreting, is applied to the mesh to create a wall or curved roof structure. Whilst providing a method of on-site formation of concrete structures, the walls created from this method do not provide the necessary long term strength desirable for residences or high-rise buildings.

WO 96/41060 describes a method of forming a wall structure having an inner and outer wall that is spaced using connecting members of a predetermined width. The wall structure may be formed from perforated or expanded metal sheeting. The cavity formed between the inner and outer wall may be selectively filled with concrete. This method requires time consuming connection of the connecting members between the inner and outer walls and connection of the adjacent wall members. Furthermore, due to the interlocking nature of the wall members and connecting members the method of WO 96/41060 requires special fabrication of the building components, thus adding to the cost of construction.

WO 95/12714 describes a method of forming a dam type wall in a river or body of water. Two spaced and braced perforated walls are placed in the water body and concrete is poured into the cavity between the sheets.

It is believed that the density of the concrete is sufficient to expel the water from the cavity as the concrete is poured into place. Whilst this may be a suitable technique for building dam walls in situ, it would not provide the necessary long-term strength characteristics required for a residence or highrise building.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to overcome or alleviate one or more of the above disadvantages or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, although not necessarily the broadest or only form, the invention resides in a method of constructing a reinforced concrete walls, including the steps of: locating a bottom plate on or in a slab; placing a mainframe, having a narrow joining section linking two sides, the sides having respective external surfaces and defining an inner cavity; engaging a top plate with an upper edge of the mainframe; securing perforated metal sheeting to respective external surfaces of the mainframe; and pouring concrete into the inner cavity of the mainframe.

Preferably the concrete is vibrated to ensure no air pockets occur during settling and/or curing of the concrete.

The method may further include the steps of locating a plurality of spaced vertical and/or horizontal reinforcement bars within the inner cavity of said mainframe.

The method may further includes the step of; locating a plurality of spacers on the respective external surfaces for providing a means of securing the perforated metal sheeting to the mainframe.

The spacers may be selected from a plurality of plastic spacers or rugs or a plurality of spaced furring clips engaging the mainframe and releasably retaining a furring channel.

In another aspect the invention resides in a building system for the construction of reinforced concrete walls, comprising; a bottom plate; a mainframe, having a narrow joining section linking two sides, engaging the bottom plate, 4 the sides having respective external surfaces and defining an inner cavity; a top plate engaging with an upper surface of the mainframe; perforated metal sheets fastened to the sides of the mainframe; and settable material poured into the inner cavity of the mainframe.

The building system may further comprise; a plurality of spaced vertical and/or horizontal reinforcement bars located centrally within the inner cavity of the mainframe and extending from the bottom plate.

The settable material may be selected from concrete, cement and the like. More preferably the settable material is concrete.

Preferably, the perforated metal sheets are secured to a plurality of spacers engaging the external surface of the mainframe. The spacers may be selected from a plurality of plastic spacers or lugs or a plurality of spaced furring clips engaging the mainframe and releasably retaining a furring channel.

The building system may further comprise conduit located within the inner cavity of the mainframe or between the main frame and the perforated metal sheeting to accommodate plumbing and/or electrical services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1: a schematic view of a simplified embodiment of the building system of the invention; Fig 1A: a schematic top view of a mainframe; Fig 2: a expanded schematic view of an embodiment of the building system of the invention; Fig 3: a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the building system; Fig 4: a schematic side view of a furring clip engaging a section of mainframe and retaining a furring channel; Fig 5: a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the building system employing bracing; Fig 6: a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the building system located at the time of forming footings and a slab; Fig 7: a schematic view of an arrangement of mainframe and top plate sections in forming a window opening; and Fig 8: a schematic view of an alternative method of forming door opening and window opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The first embodiment described below result in the production of a finished concrete wall having a thickness of approximately 202.2mm. It will be appreciated that the dimensions listed below may be altered accordingly to vary the wall thickness as required.

Fig 1 shows the key components of a building system 1, for forming reinforced concrete walls including, a bottom plate 2. The bottom plate 2 is formed from cutting and bending F72 steel mesh into a generally U shape.

Preferably the bottom plate 2 is 6m in length, 600-800mm in depth and 152.2mm wide.

It will be appreciated that the bottom plate 2 may also be formed from C or U shaped channelling having spaced apertures adapted to engage the starter rods extending from a concrete slab.

The bottom plate 2 is bent so as to be slightly wider than a mainframe 3. Fig 1 shows two mainframe sections 3, in part. The mainframe is bent in such a way as to form a top view having a generally C or reversed C-shaped configuration, shown more clearly in Fig 1A. The mainframe 3 is formed to have two sides 4 and 5 and a narrow joining section 6. The sides 4 and 5 of the mainframe 3 define an inner cavity 7. The mainframe 3 is formed by bending and cutting a sheet of F72+ steel mesh. The mainframe 3 is preferably 2.4, 2.7 or 3.0 m high, 1.0m length, and 126.2mm wide. The mainframe 3 may also be formed from F52 steel mesh. The mainframe 3 simply slots into the bottom plate 2.

It is desirable for adjoining mainframe sections 3 to overlap. It is preferable that the mainframe sections 3 overlap approximately 200mm, the distance of one square of mainframe mesh. This can be envisaged by referring to Fig 1 and simply bringing the respective mainframe sections 3 together until they overlap. The overlapping mainframe sections 3 can be secured into place using metal ties.

A top plate 8 is located on or engages with an upper surface 9 of the mainframe 3. The top plate 8 is formed by cutting and bending F72 steel mesh into a generally U shape to have the dimensions of 300mm high x 7 97.5mm wide x 6m length. Whilst, Fig 1 the top plate 8 is shown as being removed from the mainframe 3, it will be appreciated that the top plate 8 has width of 97.5mm and will engage with the inner surfaces of the sides 4 and of the mainframe 3. The top plate 8 will generally be orientated so that is U shape is inverted when located at the top of a wall and will be secured using metal ties.

The top plate 8 has been found to be of significance in the building system of the invention in that it ensures the top of the wall will be level.

Top-plates may also create extra reinforcement for roof tie-downs by locating threaded rods set into the wet concrete at the top of the wall. The threaded rods may then be used to secure roofing trusses and the like.

Perforated mesh sheeting 10 is then fastened to the external surface 11 of the respective sides 4 and 5 of the mainframe 3. The perforated mesh sheeting 10 is preferably 0.6mm in thickness x 1.2m in length x 2.4 or 2.7 or 3.0m in height. The perforations are preferably 3.5mm in diameter and are spaced in a regular manner over the sheeting 10. It is preferable that the perforations take up 45% to 50% of the sheet metal surface area. It will be appreciated that expanded aluminium sheeting may also be used as the perforated metal sheeting The perforated metal sheeting 10 may be fastened to the mainframe 3 using a range of known fasteners, including nuts and bolts, screws, metal ties and the like.

To complete the formation of a wall, concrete (generally40/10 Premix) is poured or pumped into the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe 3 and vibrated 8 to ensure settling of the concrete, prior to curing. It has been found that it is important to vibrate the concrete to prevent the formation of air bubbles or locks.

The wall sections of the building system of the invention are filled with settable material such as concrete until the inner cavity 7 is approximately one third full. The concrete is vibrated until concrete oozes out of holes in perforated metal sheeting 10 and forms thousands of tiny concrete nodules.

As the concrete oozes out through the perforations of the metal sheeting and forms a 5-10 mm layer of concrete. Vibration of the concrete in this manner ensures that the inner cavity 7 is full and compacted, thus containing no air pockets. The process is repeated until the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe 3 is filled up to the top plate 8. The concrete is then levelled of at the top plate 8 to create a level and smooth surface. The concrete is allowed to cure, prior to the completion of the building, which may include adding floors or roofs.

The concrete nodules or nodes and the layer of concrete that forms is ideal for applying cement render or facing. Alternatively, the concrete nodes and/or resultant layer can be screed off with a broom, or the like, if plasterboard is to be applied.

If the walls are to be covered with bricks, stone, granite or the like it is important that prior to the concrete being poured that wall ties are place through the perforations of the metal sheeting and directed to the external surfaces of the wall. The wall ties can then be placed into the mortar used to lay or place the bricks etc., thus providing a structural link between the wall formed by the building system of the invention and the facing wall.

To comply with building codes, the building system of the current invention should be used to create wall sections with a height of no more than 3m at any one time. It is not desirable to pour concrete into wall sections greater than 3m in height, because as the concrete cures there is a significant generation of heat which may cause undue force and or explosion of the wall.

Fig 2 shows an expanded view of an embodiment of the building system. The mainframe 3 again is shown in part, having sides 4 and 5. In this embodiment spacers 11, or plastic lugs or spacers are placed between the mainframe 3 and the perforated metal sheeting 10. The plastic spacers 11 are located are spaced intervals on the outer/external surface of the sides 4 and 5 of the mainframe 3. The plastic spacers 11 may not only create a space between the mainframe 3 and the perforated metal sheeting 10 but also be used to fasten or secure the perforated metal sheeting 10 into place using fasteners, such as screws passing through the perforations of the metal sheeting into the plastic spacers 11 In another embodiment additional reinforcement may be located within the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe 3, as shown in cross section in Fig 3. A bottom plate 2 is located on a concrete slab 12. A mainframe 3 is slotted into the bottom plate 2 and the top plate 8, engages an upper surface or edge 9 of the mainframe 3, in a manner similar to that described above.

Spaced vertically reinforcement members 13, of deformed Y12 reinforcement, is spaced horizontally and extend vertically from the bottom plate 2 to the upper edge 9 of the mainframe 3 and located generally central to the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe 3. Spaced horizontal reinforcements 14, of deformed Y12 reinforcement, are space vertically at intervals and on alternate side of the vertical reinforcements 13. The respective vertical and horizontal reinforcements 13 and 14 may be secured into place by tying together with metal ties.

Horizontal reinforcement bars (Y16) 14 and vertical reinforcement bars (Y12) 13 are preferably spaced no more than 600mm apart.

In order to create corners within the building it is preferable that horizontal reinforcement bars 14 are bent to go around the corner, in orderto provide additional reinforcement. The perforated metal sheeting 10 may be bent to correspond with the corners.

Vertical reinforcement bars 13 may be bent at right angles to secure the top-plate into place and thus locking-down the entire wall.

It may be desirable to place vertical reinforcement bars at either side of door and window openings to provide additional strength.

The top plate 9 may also provide a securing base for the upper sections of wall by having vertical reinforcements extend through the top plate 8.

The external surface 15 of a either side, in this example shown as side 4, of the mainframe 3, in Fig 3, shows an alternative spacer embodiment to secure the perforated metal sheeting 10, from the plastic spacers 11 of Fig 2. A plurality of furring clips 16 is located to engage the mesh of the mainframe 3 and secure furring channel 17. Whilst not shown, 11 it will be readily appreciated that the perforated metal sheeting 10 of the building system can be readily fastened to the furring channel 17 using screws, rivets and the like.

The perforated metal sheeting 10 is preferably fastened to furring channel 17 of the building system 1 by using 45 mm screws, 150-200mm apart. Once the concrete has been poured into the inner cavity 7 it is possible to apply plasterboard sheeting by simply screwing the plasterboard to the perforated metal sheeting 10 and through to the furring channelling 17.

When the concrete cures the screws securing the plasterboard will be set into concrete.

Alternatively the plasterboard may be fastened to the perforated metal sheeting just prior to concrete being poured into the inner cavity of the mainframe. In this alternative it is preferably to use water resistant plasterboard or Villaboard Compressed FC Sheet.

Fig 4 shows in more detail the location of the furring clips 16 on the mainframe 3. Furring clips 16 are readily available, but it is preferably to use or 38mm galvanised steel furring clips. The furring clips 16 engage the mesh of the mainframe 3 in such a manner that the clips 16 open outwardly to the external surface 15 of the mainframe 3. Fig 4 shows a furring clip 16 surrounding a vertical section 18 of the mesh of the mainframe 3. Furring channelling 17 is releasably retained in the furring clip 16. The furring clips are preferably galvanised steel Rhodo 139, whilst the furring channel may be any galvanised steel channelling suitable for use with the furring clips. The furring channels 17 are preferably spaced 400mm apart. It 12 is preferable to use 25mm furring channel 17, for fastening the perforated metal sheeting 10 to the bottom plate 2. Whilst 38mm furring channel 17 can be used to secure the perforated metal sheeting 10 to the mainframe 3.

It will be appreciated that the furring clips 16 and furring channel 17 may be placed in both a vertically and horizontally as a basis for securing the perforated metal sheeting 10. It will also be appreciated that the furring clips 16 and furring channel 17 may located around the perimeter of window and door openings to secure perforated metal sheeting 10 to define the openings.

Fig 5 shows a cross sectional profile of the building system 1 located on a preformed slab 12. The bottom plate 2 located in such a manner that starter reinforcement bars extending from the slab extend upwardly through apertures or mesh holes in the bottom plate 2. The mainframe 3, top plate 8, inner reinforcements of vertical and horizontal reinforcement bars 13 and 14, and perforated sheeting 10 are located and fastened in a similar manner as described above. Furring clips 16 and furring channelling 17 are collectively shown in cross section as 20. The building system 1 for a wall is braced using standard stays or struts 21. These stays are generally only required are the point where the perforated metal sheeting 10 abut one another. Tie rods 22 may be located to pass through the width of the wall.

Stays 21 are formed using M12 galvanised threaded rods 23 passing through steel or aluminium scaffold planks 24.

Planks 24 are placed against both sides against the wall prior to concreting. The planks 24 are held into place by drilling holes through the 13 planks 24 and the perforated metal sheeting 10 and passing a threaded rod 23 through the respective planks 24 and the wall section. The planks 24 or brace are then held securely in place during the concreting process.

Alternatively ACRO props may be placed on both sides of the wall section at approximately a 35* angle.

In the formation of a multi story buildings, 4.8m long planks may be bolted to the tie rods 23 passing through the wall section of a lower floor and extend upwardly and assist in the creation of straight for the upper floors.

The threaded rods 23 may also be used to secure scaffolding for the construction of upper stories and/or roofs.

After concreting is completed, the threaded rods 23, which have been used to bolt scaffold into place, may be ground off.

A threaded tie down bolt may be located through the top plate 8 and into the inner cavity. The arrangement of tie rod may be used to secure a timber top plate and/or roof trusses.

Fig 6 shows the building system 1 being located into place at the time footings and slab reinforcement are being laid. Trench cages 25 are located in the appropriate position for the footings 26 having the necessary starter bars 27 extending vertically. The formwork 28 for the slab 12 is laid in the normal manner. A bottom plate 2 is located above the trench cage 25 and held in place by the apertures of the mesh engaging the starter bars 27. The starter bars 27 are preferably Y1 2, Y16, or Y20 deformed reinforcement bars spaced no more than 600mm apart around the perimeter of the slab 12 and at the footings 25 and extend upwardly above the surface of the slab 12 approximately 400mm.

In this embodiment the bottom plate 2 is formed to have longer upwardly extending sides 29, having sufficient length to extend above the surface of the slab 12, once laid, and to engage or retain the mainframe 3. It is preferable that the bottom plate 2 protrudes approximately 400mm above the slab 12, in order to retain the mainframe 3. A narrow section of perforated metal sheeting 10 is secured to the bottom plate 2 and braced 21.

The concrete for the slab and footings is poured and allowed to cure. The remainder of the building system 1 is located into place and walls constructed in a similar manner to that described above.

It is possible to replace a normal slab beam 30 with two interconnected top plates 8 from the building system, to support the slab reinforcement steel mesh or formwork 28.

It will be appreciated that the width of the mainframe, top plates and bottom plates may be altered to produce thicker stronger walls, columns, beams, etc..

The examples above all illustrate the mainframe 3 being located in such a manner as to have a top view of a generally C or reverse C shape. It will be appreciated that the mainframe sections 3 may be located on the bottom plate 2 such that the narrow joining section 6 is slotted into the bottom plate 2. In this arrangement mainframe sections 3 may be place one on top of the other so that the narrow joining section 6 of an upper mainframe section fits within the upper edge 9 of the sides 4 and 5 of a lower mainframe section 3.

It will be appreciated that whilst the above examples describe the bottom plates 2, mainframe 3, top plate 8 and perforated metal sheeting being put into place on location and in a generally upright or vertical orientation, it may be more convenient the building system 1 components to be secured together on a flat surface and lifted or raised into a vertical or upright orientation once all the components are in place and prior to pouring the concrete. Securing all the components into place on a flat surface prevents the need for scaffolding whilst forming the wall of a low rise dwelling.

In forming windows, doors and the like, mainframe sections 3 are positions in such a manner that the narrow joining sections 6 of the mainframe 3 may be arranged to define the opening for the window or door and/or have top plate 8 of appropriate dimensions inserted into the opening created by the sides 4 and Fig 7 shows an arrangement that may be used to create a window 31 or a door 32. In forming the window 31 the narrow joining section of a vertical or standing mainframe section 33 is located into the opening between the sides of a shorter mainframe section 34, whose narrow joining section is in turn located within opening created by the sides of another vertical mainframe section 35. A top plate 8 is located to span the window 31 in the normal manner. A shorter section of top plate 36 is locate into the opening of the vertical mainframe section 35. A short section of top plate 37 is also inserted into the upper edge or surface of the shorter mainframe section 34. An inverted top plate section 38 is located to engage the longer 16 top plate section 8 to create a lintel over the window 31. Perforated metal sheeting 10 can be fastened to the edges of the window opening to create a smoother edge.

A door opening 32 is of Fig 7 is formed form the open of the sides of the vertical mainframe section 33 and the narrow joining section of the vertical mainframe section 39. A section of top plate 40 and 41, respectively, is inserted into the opening of the sides of the mainframe section 33 and the top plate 8. In the case of the section of top plate 41 the section is sufficiently long enough to span the doorway and create a lintel for the doorframe. Perforated metal sheeting is fastened to the edges of the doorframe to create a smooth finish.

Fig 8 shows an alternative method of creating doors and windows.

The mainframe sections a arranged so that the first mainframe section 42 is located into the bottom plate 2 in such a manner that its narrow joining section 42A is directed downwardly and engages the bottom plate 2.

Additional mainframe sections 43 and 44 are inserted on top of one another and into mainframe section 42, until the required wall height is achieved. A top plate 8 is inserted to engage the upper surface of the mainframe section 44, in manner similar to that described above. Cutting the mainframe sections 42, 43 and 44, and where necessary the bottom plate 2, to the door opening 46 and the window opening 47. Top plate sections are used to edge the door and window openings, 46 and 47, in a similar manner to that described above, prior to perforated metal sheeting being applied and concrete poured.

17 In the formation of door and window opening, two top plates 8 may be interlocked or arranged to square or rectangular beam. The beam may be formed in a short length sufficient to span across the opening with a 300mm overhang on either side of the opening, is pushed down into the top of the mainframe cavity spanning across the opening to a depth of approx. 300mm.

In a short length the top plate beams may be used as a lintel door and window openings.

Doors and window frames may be fixed into position using galvanised screws after sheeting and before concreting.

Alternatively door and window frames may be fixed into position after concrete has been poured into the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe sections by drilling locating holes into the perforated metal sheeting and locating appropriately sized plastic screw-plugs into drill holes, prior to pouring the concrete into the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe 3. Once the concrete is set the door and window frames can be located into place using the screw plugs.

Door and window frames may also be bricked-in after concrete has been poured and set. If this technique is to be employed sufficient room must be left to allow for both the door or window frame and bricks.

Plumbing and electrical services may be incorporated into the building system 1. Generally 20-30mm electrical cabling or plumbing conduit may be tied into the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe 3 only by qualified electrician and/or plumber. It is preferable not to have all the electrical cabling located in one area of the building system but to have them dispersed through out the building system and only come together were the meter box will be located.

Alternatively conduits may be positioned between the mainframe 3 and the perforated metal sheeting 10 in the space created by the furring channel 17. This arrangement of locating conduits provides for easy access after the concrete is poured and set and will not adversely affect the structural strength of the wall. A plumber or electrician can locate and access the conduit just under the surface of the wall to complete the installation of the plumbing and electrics. This arrangement also makes later repairs or modifications to electrical circuits or plumbing easier than if the conduit was placed within the inner cavity 7 of the mainframe.

Bay windows may be formed by bending the mainframe 3 such that the narrow joining section 6 is angled to the appropriate degree and simply overlapping adjoining mainframe section in a manner similar to that described above.

Curved walls may be formed cutting one side 4 or 5 of the mainframe 3 in such a way that allows it to bend and form the circumference of the curved wall as desired. The side (4 or 5) of the mainframe 3 which is cut forms the inner surface or radius of the curved wall. The perforated metal sheeting 10 is bent in a similar manner to provide sheeting having a radius which corresponds to the inner and outer radius of the curved wall.

Arches may be formed in a similar manner to that described above for forming a curved wall, except that the mainframe mesh 3 is placed so that the narrow joining section 6 of the mainframe 3 will form the inner radius of the arch and both sides of the mainframe mesh are cut to allow the narrow 19 joining section 6 to be bent and result in the sides 4 and 5 fanning out. The number of cuts required in the mainframe 3 depends on the circumference of the arch, with more cuts being required the smaller the arch radius. Arches may also be formed from the top plate 8 in a similar manner.

Additional storeys to a building may be created by suspending flooring or between exterior walls of the building using known building techniques and repeating one or more of the process(es) described above. An inverted top plate may engage an upper surface of the mainframe sections and extend through a suspended concrete slab and be used to form a bottom plate for the walls of additional storeys.

The Applicant has found an ongoing need for a method of forming walls for residence and high-rises that utilises currently available materials in a unique manner to provide a method which is quick, convenient, and cost effective in producing concrete walls on-site. The above method allows for significant cost savings in construction of residences and/or high rise buildings as the necessary framework can be put into place prior to the pouring of concrete. The pre-placement of the framework reduces the need for heavy machinery and in some cases eliminates the need for scaffolding during the construction of wails.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the invention described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (8)

1. A method of constructing a reinforced concrete walls, including the steps of: locating a bottom plate on or in a slab; placing a mainframe, having a narrow joining section linking two sides, the sides having respective external surfaces and defining an inner cavity; engaging a top plate with an upper edge of the mainframe; securing perforated metal sheeting to the sides of the mainframe; and pouring concrete into the inner cavity of the mainframe.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of vibrating the concrete.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes the step of locating a plurality of spaced vertical and/or horizontal reinforcement bars within the inner cavity of said mainframe.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further includes the steps of; locating a plurality of spacers on the sides of the mainframe to provide a means of securing the perforated metal sheeting to the mainframe.

The method of claim 4, wherein spacers comprise a plurality of spaced furring clips engaging the mainframe and releasably retaining a furring channel.

6. A building system for the construction of reinforced concrete walls, comprising; a bottom plate; a mainframe, having a narrow joining section linking two sides, engaging the bottom plate; the sides having respective external surfaces and defining an inner cavity; a top plate engaging with an upper surface of the mainframe; perforated metal sheets fastened to the sides of the mainframe; and settable material located in the inner cavity of the mainframe,

7. The building system of claim 6, further comprising; a plurality of spaced vertical and/or horizontal reinforcement bars located centrally within the inner cavity of the mainframe and extending from the bottom plate.

8. The building system of claim 6 or 7, further comprising; a plurality of spaced furring clips and channelling engaging one or both of the sides of the mainframe for securing the perforated metal sheeting. DATED this the thirteenth day of August 2004 TONY F. PERRI By its Patent Attorneys FISHER ADAMS KELLY