AU679392B2 - Method and apparatus for constructing a building - Google Patents

Description

-1- METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING A BUILDING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for constructing a building, utilising monad .omponents. As used herein, the term "monad" as used in relation to a building component is intended to refer to a fundamental building component manufactured off site and transported as a single unit to the place of building construction. The invention is particularly suitable for entirely fabricating the various components, then transporting the components to a remote location for assembly thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Various types of methods of constructing monad type buildings are hitherto known, including the method described in International Patent Application No. PCT/AU89/00368.

The specification of that Patent application describes a plurality of cylindrical type modules, each being a composite dwelling or the like, being supported by an axially "disposed support column. Whilst this prior art monad construction provides prefabricated composite dwelling units or office units, each prefabricated unit must, by necessity, be of high strength, such that the weight thereof is supported by being affixed at one end thereof to the central support column. The monad units do not support each other, except a possibly to provide a momentless state of balancing force about the central support column once the structure is entirely assembled.

Of course, other types of monad building components are presently known, including monad bathroom structures and the like, whereby a prefabricated bathroom unit is manufactured in parts, transported to an installation location and then assembled. Such types of unit are not of high strength or intended to have structural qualities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a method of constructing a building, and a building constructed by such method, which may be manufactured, transported to a remote location, and then easily assembled.

-2- The present invention also seeks to provide a method of constructing a building and a building constructed by such method, whereby each of the components has structural qualities assisting in the strength of the composite structure.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of constructing a multi-storey building having a plurality of discrete habitable spaces, said method comprising the steps of positioning at least two frame members in spaced apart parallel relationship, each frame member comprising spaced apart vertical column members and horizontal beams extending between selected pairs of said vertical column members, forming a plurality of horizontally extending cells individually supported by, and displaced vertically in the frame to define said habitable spaces, by positioning at least two preformed hollow *•o0 building components each having at least one partially open side in side by side edge abutting configuration with said respective partially open sides aligned to interconnect 99.9 said components and define a single habitable space, and securing each said building component to two of said frame members to form structural elements of the building.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a multi-storey building having discrete habitable spaces, said building comprising at least two frame members, respectively formed by spaced apart vertical column members and horizontal beams extending between selected pairs of said vertical column members, said frame individually 9" supporting a plurality of horizontally extending cells displaced vertically in the frame to "form said multi-storeys of habitable spaces, each said cell being formed by at least two preformed hollow building components, each having at least one partially open side, and being arranged in side by side edge abutting configuration with said respective partially open sides aligned to interconnect said components and define a single habitable space, and each building component being secured to two of said frame members and forming a structural element of the building.

The method preferably includes the steps of positioning one of said horizontal beams adjacent the sides of each said cell, connecting at least one connecting member on each said horizontal beam, each connecting member having first connecting means for connection to said horizontal beam, and having second connecting means comprised of an outwardly extending support platform, and, supporting edge portions of each said building components atop said support platforms.

-3- Similarly, in the preferred form the building additionally comprises positioning horizontal beams positioned adjacent the sides of each said cell, at least one connecting member disposed on each said horizontal beam, each connecting member having first connecting means for connection to said horizontal beam, and second connecting means comprised of an outwardly extending support platform to support edge portions of each said building components.

As used herein the term "habitable space" refers to a single residential dwelling, offices shop or the like intend for use by a single occupant or group of occupants and may include internal walls, doors and other fixtures.

C Preferably also, each said frame member is comprised of a plurality of vertical column members and horizontal beam members.

In a preferred form, a plurality of connecting members are utilised on each horizontal beam member to support each monad building component.

In a most preferred form, each of said components are dimensioned to be transported to a construction location by conventional sea, air, rail, road or like transport.

Preferably, said building, once constructed, may be disassembled, moved and reassembled.

Preferably, each of said frame members, connecting members and building components are constructed of steel, plastics or other material having the required strength and other structural qualities.

Also preferably, said frame members, connecting members and/or building components are formed with fire retardant and/or insulative properties.

In a preferred embodiment, tensioning cables or the like may additionally be utilised within said monad building components to provide structural integrity.

s -4- In a preferred form, said frame members, connecting members and monad building components are formed in a maintenance free finish, are waterproof and/or are heat and cold insulating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, wherein: Fig. 1 illustrates a front elevation of a complete building, constructed in accordance with the method of the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the building of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates a typical plan view of the building of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 illustrates the structure in accordance with the present invention being assembled; i Fig. 5 shows a section through the building component, illustrating how adjacent building components are interconnected, and illustrating how the connecting member supports the building component; Fig. 6 illustrates a plan view of the building component shown in Fig. Fig. 7 illustrates an enlarged sectional view of the connecting member; Fig. 8 illustrates an enlarged plan view of how the connecting member fits on to the frame members; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) Throughout the drawings, like numerals will be utilised to identify similar features, except where expressly otherwise indicated.

I As shown in Fig. 1, a multi-storey building, generally designated by the numeral 1, is illustrated, in assembled form. The building is formed by a plurality of horizontally extending cells which define habitable spaces. The habitable spaces can be home units, office units, shops, or any other type of construction. As will be understood from a reading of the description, with reference to other drawings contained herein, the horizontally extending cells are each formed by a number of monad or modular building components 2 supported by suitable connectors (not shown in Fig. connected on frames 3.

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 additionally illustrate elevational and plan views of Fig. 1 to facilitate *an understanding of the monad components.

In Fig. 4, it is shown how the method of construction building according to this invention 0 •Imay be achieved, the figure illustrating how a monad component 2 is being supplied on to the frame members 3 via a crane 4 attached to a vehicle 5. As shown, each monad component 2 can effectively be slid on to the frame members 3, and particularly, on to the horizontal beams of the frame members. As shown in Fig. 4, each frame member comprises at least two spaced apart vertical columns 6, and at least one horizontal beam 7, extending between the columns 6.

At least one connecting member (not shown in Fig. is then supplied on each horizontal beam for support and connection to each monad component 2. Details of the connecting member are shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, Figs. 7 and 8 showing enlarged views, whilst Figs. 5 and 6 showing overall views of the connector in situ with the monad building components.

As shown in Figs. 5 to 8, each connector 8 is comprised of a body portion 9 which, in use, is substantially horizontally disposed and, a pair of arms 10 which extend substantially coplanarly and outwardly from the body portion 9 to form support platforms upon which the monad building components 2 are situated. The body portion 9 is bolted to horizontal beam 7 by bolts 11 and the monad building components 2 are secured to the components by means of bolts 12, welding or the lice. Depending upon the size of the connectors 8, one or more connectors may be utilised for each monad component 2.

For example, each connector may be the width of the building component 2, or be of

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-6short width with at least two connectors 8 utilised for each end of the building component 2, one at each edge thereof.

It will be appreciated that a building of any size may be constructed in accordance with this method, useful either as a home unit dwelling, an office fitout or for any other commercial purpose. It will also be noted that the modular construction method of the present invention is particularly useful in being able to construct the various components and then transport same to a remote location for easy assembly thereof, with minimal tools etc. Such a technique is envisaged to be particularly useful in developing countries where manufacturing facilities are not readily available, or, on an island, resort location, So• or in a National Park or other tender environment where minimal interference with the environment is desirable. It will also be appreciated that a building, once constructed in accordance with this method, may be disassembled and even reassembled, if required.

Consequently, it is also suitable for temporary housing or administration uses, such as when a natural disaster has occurred. The size of the various components used is perhaps only limited by the size of the factory floor where the components are manufactured and/or the size of the sea/rail/road vehicles required to transport the components.

It will be appreciated that the parts of the building may be constructed of a variety of materials, including steel, plastics, or any other material having the required strength or other structural qualities, fire retardant and/or insulative properties. If required, S tensioning cables 13 or the like may be additionally utilised, such as depicted in Fig. Such tensioning cables may be supplied within the monad components, i.e. between the inner and outer walls of the monad components, or may be supplied between the frame members and attached to horizontal beams 7 as shown in Fig. In constructing the various parts of the building with steel structural materials or like material, it will be appreciated that the completed building will have significant advantages over conventional buildings. Such advantages include the lighter composite structure achieved, the fact that the building is easier to construct and dismantle then conventional buildings. It will also be apparent that the use of the monad building components as a structural element of the building enables buildings of increased strength to be constructed. More particularly, the building components can be constructed according to the required strength characteristics of the building to be constructed having -7regard to the environment concerned. That is buildings constructed in accordance with the present invention can be made less prone to destruction by natural effects such as earthquakes. Other advantages will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art.

Obviously, most preferably, the monad building components are formed of maintenance free finish, are waterproof and have heat and cold insulating properties.

In such a configuration, other advantages of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art, including the reduction in overall weight of the building, construction time and building costs, the ease by which the size of the building may be varied and the maintenance of a high standard of quality of construction.

o. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications to the building construction method, and the building formed thereby, will become apparent. All such variations and modifications should be considered to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described.

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Claims (19)

1. A method of constructing a multi-storey building having a plurality of discrete habitable spaces, said method comprising the steps of positioning at least two frame members in spaced apart parallel relationship, each frame member comprising spaced apart vertical column members and horizontal beams extending between selected pairs of said vertical column members, forming a plurality of horizontally extending cells individually supported by, and displaced vertically in the frame to define said habitable spaces by positioning at least two preformed hollow building components each having at least one partially open side in side by side edge abutting configuration with said respective partially open sides aligned to interconnect said components and :I define a single habitable space, and securing each said building component to two of said frame members to form a structural element of the building.

S2. A method of constructing a building as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of positioning one of said horizontal beams adjacent the sides of each said cell, connecting at least one connecting member on each said horizontal beam, each S" connecting member having first connecting means for connection to said horizontal beam, and having second connecting means comprised of an outwardly extending support platform, and, supporting edge portions of each said building components atop said support platforms.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, further including the step of securing said connecting member to each of said frame members and said building components.

4. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each said frame member is comprised of a plurality of vertical column members and horizontal beam members. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a plurality of connecting members are utilised on each horizontal beam member to support each building component.

P:\OPER\LKA\I783199.CL I -9-

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of said components are dimensioned for separate transport to a construction location by conventional sea, air, rail, road or like transport.

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said building, once constructed, can be disassembled, moved and reassembled.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein each of said frame members, connecting members and building components are constructed of steel, plastics or other material having the required strength and other structural qualities.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein each of said frame members, connecting members and building components are formed of fire retardant and/or insulative properties.

A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein tensioning cables or extend between frane members to provide structural integrity. a a

11. A multi-storey building having discrete habitable spaces, said building comprising at least two frame members, respectively formed by spaced apart vertical column members and horizontal beams extending between selected pairs of said vertical column members, said frame individually supporting a plurality of horizontally extending cells displaced vertically in the frame to form said multi-storeys of habitable spaces, each said cell being formed by at least two preformed hollow building components, each having at least one partially open side, and being arranged in side by side edge abutting configuration with said respective partially open sides aligned to interconnect said components and define a single habitable space, and each building component being secured to two of said frame members and forming a structural element of the building.

A 2. A building as claimed in claim 11 further comprising horizontal beams positioned 9 adjacent the sides of each said cell, connecting at least one connecting member disposed on each said horizontal beam, each connecting member having first 10 connecting means for connection to said horizontal beam, and second connecting means comprised of an outwardly extending support platform to support edge portions of each said building components.

13. A building as claimed in claims 11 or 12, further comprising fastening means to secure said connecting member to each of said frame members and said building components.

14. A building as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein each said frame member is comprised of a plurality of vertical column members and horizontal 0*" beam members. S S: S.~

15. A building as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein a plurality of S* 5o connecting members are utilised on each horizontal beam member to support each building component.

16. A building as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein each of said components are dimensioned for separate transport to a construction location by ~conventional sea, air, rail, road or like transport. *06* S O

17. A building as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein said building, once constructed, can be disassembled, moved and reassembled.

18. A building as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein each of said frame members, connecting members and building components are constructed of steel, plastics or other material having the required strength and other structural qualities.

19. A building as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein each of said frame members, connecting members and building components are formed of fire retardant and/or insulative properties. A building as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein tensioning cables or extend between said frame members to provide structural integrity. -,I 11 ABSTRACT A multi-storey building construction method, and, a multi-storey building constructed in accordance with such method. The building is constructed using frame members connecting members and monad components The method comprises the steps of positioning the two frame members in spaced apart relationship, providing connecting members thereon, and then supplying a monad building component (2) atop the connecting members The interior portion of the monad components is pre-provided within conventional type domestic, office or like interior fittings. The various components 2, 8) may be manufactured and then transported to where they are intended to be assembled. (Fig. 4). a a ev 4l* M