AU746401B2 - A framing system for buildings - Google Patents

Description

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 1 "A FRAMING SYSTEM FOR BUILDINGS" This invention relates to a framing system for buildings. More particularly the invention relates to frame members, frame assemblies incorporating such frame members and frame buildings incorporating the frame assemblies.

Many metal framing systems have been proposed in the past to take advantage of the accurate fabrication which is possible in metal construction. Such metal framing systems have the potential to simplify construction methods and to provide accuracy which is not readily obtained with one off brick, concrete or timber construction.

Metal frames also have the advantage that rigid perimeter frames can be constructed without the need for diagonal bracing. Typically this rigidity is associated with welded joints between horizontal and vertical members of the frame. This is not particularly suited to fabrication using galvanised or coated metal frame members.

While the desired rigidity can be achieved by bolted or screw joints, most systems proposed to date have not provided the desired degree of simplicity and/or versatility to make them a popular alternative to one-off timber framed construction.

The applicant is aware of steel buildings which are used for housing warehouses and the like, which are made by the joining of steel frames. The frames have a base section and rising sections which rise up from both sides of this base section forming an open ended rectangle. Typically this frame is then treated to resist rust. However the attachment of horizontal members to vertical members on site is not easily accomplished. Some form of pressing machine is required which requires heavy machinery to be brought on to the construction site.

Alternatively the frames are welded to each other. However for welding it is necessary for the two frames to be positioned perpendicularly to one another and thus welding is complicated. Further welding damages the rust prevention treatment.

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 2 Accordingly it would be advantageous if a means could be found for erecting a steel frame structure on a building site expeditiously and efficiently.

This invention aims to provide vertical and horizontal members of a frame assembly which can be attached to each other reliably and efficiently.

This invention also aims to provide a structure wherein prefabricated frame assemblies are stood in end to end abutting relationship to form a wall and if required, located one upon the other in a simple and efficient manner.

The panels would be located on top of each other for the provision of multi storey buildings or for providing relatively small wall panels which may be easily handled and stacked one upon the other. The panels would be placed in abutting side by side relationship to form a wall structure or a floor or roof structure.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a frame assembly for a building, the assembly including, a first plurality of frame members and a second plurality of frame members, each of said members of said first and second plurality defining two major surfaces and having a central channel opening to one face of the member and side channels on each side of the central channel opening to the other face of the member, wherein the first plurality of members has the base webs of the side channels removed at the ends thereof, and wherein the second plurality of members has the base web of the central channel removed at the ends thereof so that the side channel sections extend beyond the central channel section whereby the ends of the first plurality of members are complementary to the ends of the second plurality of members.

Preferably the first plurality of members is horizontally extending and the second plurality of members is vertically extending.

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 3 Preferably the ends of the base webs of the side channels of the first plurality of members are cut away from their respective side flanges and folded back inwardly into the channel to form tabs which mate with the base webs of the side channels of a member of the second plurality of members when the two are attached, thereby providing overlapping surfaces for attachment by the attachment means.

Preferably the ends of the base web of the central channel of the second plurality of members is cut away from its respective side flanges and folded back inwardly into the channel to form tabs which mate with the base web of the central channel of a member of the first plurality of members when the two are attached, thereby providing overlapping surfaces for attachment by the attachment means.

In one particularly preferred form the inwardly folded ends of the base webs of the first and second plurality of members are folded substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the web so as to facilitate attachment of the frame members at right angles to one another.

Preferably the members of the first plurality of members engage the members of the second plurality of members such that the engaged members have overlapping mating surfaces extending in three substantially mutually orthogonal axes.

Typically the frame assembly includes attachment means for attaching each of the members of the first plurality of members to the adjacent members of the second plurality of members.

Advantageously the overlapping mating surfaces of each of the first and second plurality of members define aligned apertures, and the attachment means comprises fastening elements which are passed through said aligned apertures to securely attach the members to each other.

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 4 Typically the frame assembly includes two vertically spaced horizontally extending members interconnected by two horizontally spaced vertically extending members such that the assembly has a substantially rectangular configuration.

Optionally the horizontally extending members may be arranged with the central channel facing outwardly relative to the rest of the frame assembly and the vertically extending members arranged with the central channel facing inwardly relative to the rest of the flame assembly.

Typically each member is made out of sheet steel and is treated to resist corrosion thereof and the sheet steel has a thickness of 0.8 1.5 mm.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a frame assembly for a building, the assembly including, a plurality of frame members each having a central channel section opening to one face of the frame member and side channel sections on each side of the central channel section opening to the other face of the frame member, wherein the base webs of the side channels are cut away at the end of one frame member to form spaced side flanges which receive the projecting side channels of a mating frame member which terminates with its side channels extending beyond its central channel.

The frame assembly may include any one or more of the features described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention. For example the frame assembly may include attachment means for attaching said one and mating frame member to each other.

According to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of forming a frame member for use in a frame assembly, the method including the step of folding a rectangular sheet of steel into seven side by side portions, each portion being folded substantially perpendicularly about its line of interconnection with the WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 adjacent portion so as to form a member having a central channel facing to one side of the member and side channels facing to opposite sides of the member.

Typically the method includes the additional step of dividing the rectangular sheet of steel into said seven side by side portions prior to said folding step.

Advantageously the method includes the step of cutting slits in opposed ends of the central panel portion to form two tabs and folding the two tabs inwardly such that they extend substantially orthogonally inwardly relative to the remainder of the central panel portion.

Alternatively the method includes the step of cutting slits in opposed ends of the panel portions on either side of the central portion spaced one away from the central portion to form two tabs on each of the portions, and folding the two pairs of tabs inwardly such that they extend substantially orthogonally inwardly relative to the remainder of the portion.

Typically the method includes the step of drilling holes in a plurality of portions towards each end of the portions.

According to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a frame building including a plurality of frame assemblies as defined above, the assemblies being arranged in side by side abutting relationship to form a peripheral wall.

The frame assemblies may include any one or more of the optional features described above with respect to the first aspect of the invention.

Typically the building is a house and includes a roof which is supported on the peripheral wall.

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 6 In addition to said frame assemblies being arranged in side by side abutting relationship, they may also be mounted on top of each other to form two layers of panels in forming the peripheral wall.

Optionally the building may have an upper and a lower storey and the floor of the upper storey may be supported on the peripheral wall, and the roof in turn may also be supported on the peripheral wall.

Preferably the frame building includes reinforcing posts positioned between adjacent abutting frame assemblies.

The support posts may be made of wood and the posts may be received within communicating side channels of adjacent vertically extending frame members.

According to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a steel frame formed from a plurality of frame members, each frame member being formed into first to seventh band-shaped sections divided by first to sixth bend lines which extend parallel in one direction, and at least first, third, fifth and seventh band-shaped sections are formed with the same width, and so that said first, third, fifth and seventh band-shaped sections are perpendicular to remaining second, fourth and sixth band-shaped sections, they are bent into a valley shape at said first, second, fifth and sixth bend lines, and into a mountain shape at the remaining third and fourth bend lines, forming a section with alternate open-ended rectangle-shaped depression sections and protruding sections.

Preferably a notch section is formed along third and fourth bend lines at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the fourth band-shaped section on the main body of the frame, and a bend section is formed on the end of said fourth band-shaped section between both notch sections with the length of this notch being the same as the width of said fourth band-shaped section, and this bend section is bent perpendicularly WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 7 downward with respect to said fourth band-shaped section, thereby forming an openended rectangle-shaped cut out section surrounded by said bend section and third and fifth band-shaped sections.

Alternatively a notch section is formed at both ends in a longitudinal direction of second band shaped section of the main body of the frame along first and second bend lines, and with the length of this notch section being substantially the same as the width of said second band shaped section, a bend section is formed at the end of said second band-shaped section of both notch sections, and a further notch section is formed along fifth and sixth bend lines at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the sixth band-shaped section of said main body of the frame, and with the length of this notch section substantially the same as the width of said sixth band-shaped section, a bend section is formed on the ends of said sixth band-shaped section between both notch sections, and both said bend sections are bent substantially perpendicularly upwards with respect to second and sixth band-shaped sections respectively, thereby forming an open ended rectangle shaped cut out section which is surrounded by said bend section and first and third band-shaped sections and an open ended rectangle shaped cut out section surrounded by said bend section and fifth and seventh band-shaped sections.

The invention extends to a steel frame structure including first and second frames with sections having alternating open ended rectangle shaped depression sections and protruding sections, said first frame notch sections being formed along third and fourth bend lines on both ends in a longitudinal direction of fourth band-shaped section on the main body of the frame and the length of this notch section being substantially the same as the width of the fourth band-shaped section, a bend section being formed on the end of said fourth band-shaped section between both notch sections, this bend section being bent downwards perpendicularly with respect to said fourth band-shaped section, thereby forming an open ended rectangle shaped cut out section surrounded by said bend section and third and fifth band-shaped sections, WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 8 and on said second frame notch sections being formed along first and second bend lines on both ends in a longitudinal direction of second band shaped section of main body of frame, and with the length of this notch section the same as the width of the second band-shaped section, a bend section is formed on the ends of said second band shaped section between both notch sections, and notch sections being formed along fifth and sixth bend lines on both ends on a longitudinal direction of the sixth band shaped section of said main body of the frame, and with the length of this notch section the same as the width of the sixth band shaped section, a bend section being formed on the end of the sixth band shaped section between both notch sections, and both said bend sections being bent perpendicularly upwards with respect to second and sixth band-shaped sections respectively, thereby forming an open ended rectangle shaped cut out section surrounded by said bend section and first and third band-shaped sections, and an open ended rectangle shaped cut out section surrounded by said bend section and fifth and seventh band shaped sections respectively, and at least second and sixth band-shaped section of the second frame is at least slightly wider than the second and sixth band shaped sections of the first frame, and at least the fourth band shaped section of the second frame is at least slightly narrower than the fourth band-shaped section of the first frame.

Preferably the frame structure includes two first frames provided in parallel at a prescribed interval and at the joining position on the top edge of each of these first frames and the joining position on the lower edge, two second frames are provided extending perpendicularly with respect to the first frame and in addition to mating the protruding section formed by the third to fifth band-shaped sections of the second frame and the cut out section at the end of the first frame and the protrusions formed by the first to third band-shaped sections and fifth to seventh band-shaped sections of the first frame are mated to the cut out section of the second frame wherein the overlapping parts of the first and second frames are joined together.

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 9 It is also preferred that the base web of the central channel section be cut away from its respective side flanges to form the protruding side channel sections and that this cut away base web section be folded into the central channel section so that it overlaps the base web of the complementary section, again forming further mating surfaces which may be bolted or screwed together.

Alternatively the inwardly folded web sections may be folded through an acute or obtuse angle to provide an angled connection between the joined frame members.

Preferably the mating surfaces at the join are predrilled for accurate bolting together of the components.

In the preferred form the bolted connection includes bolts extending through three mutually orthogonal axes including, bolts having their shanks disposed in a horizontal or vertical plane and extending about transverse and longitudinal axes and a further bolt having its shank axis intersecting that horizontal or vertical plane so as to provide a secure joint between the frame members capable of transmitting bending moments through the joint.

Preferably the frame sections are roll formed or folded from steel sheet but they could be formed of other materials and by other methods such as by extrusion. It is also preferred that the horizontal frame members of rectangular frames be arranged with the central channel opening to the outside of frame and that the vertical frame members be arranged with the side channel sections opening outwardly of the frame.

With this arrangement, lower frame sections may be located on a central common rail which fits snugly within the open channel section of these frame members and providing continuous alignment along a wall. Similarly, upper frame sections may support a continuous top plate or top plate section spanning the joints between frame sections. The vertical frame members of adjoining frames may be coupled to one another with one or more members nested within the box sections formed by the WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 opposed mating side channel sections of respective frames. Of course if desired the frames may be located with the side channel sections opening outwardly of the frame as the horizontal frame members.

In order that this invention be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of this invention, and wherein:- FIG. 1 illustrates the developed blank for a frame member according to this invention; FIG. 2 illustrates the cross-sectional configuration of the formed frame member; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the formed frame member; FIG. 4(a) illustrated the developed blank with cuts for forming the frame member with an end termination as illustrated in Figs. 4(b) and 4(c); FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the frame member of FIG. 4; FIG. 6(a) illustrated the developed blank with cuts for forming the frame member with an end termination as illustrated in Figs. 6(b) and 6(c); FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the frame member of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the joining of complementary frame members; FIG. 9 provides several views including a perspective view and opposite end views of the finished joint between complementary frame members; FIG. 10 is a side view of a rectangular frame made with frame members and joints as previously illustrated; FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the joining of adjacent frames of the type illustrated in FIG. 10; and FIG. 13 is perspective view of part of adjacent frame members.

PCT/AU98/00365 Received 15 March 1999 11 The frames 23 of this invention include rectangular frames as illustrated in FIG. and formed from four frame members 11 12 connected together at their corners by bolted joints 22 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

It will be seen that each frame member 11,12 is substantially identical in section, however the vertical members 12 are formed to fit closely within the horizontal members 11 as will become apparent from the following description.

Each frame member 11,12 has a central channel section opening to one face of the io respective frame member and side channel sections adjacent thereto and opening to the other face of the respective frame member 11,12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 7 the frame members 11,12 are folded or roll formed from blanks 1 with right angle bends along fold lines 2a to 2f.

The blanks 1 for the vertical frame members 11 are slit at 6 inwardly from each end along the fold lines 2c and 2d in the central panel 3d to form a tab 7. When the frame members 12 are formed into shape, the tabs 7 are folded inwardly between the adjacent side walls 3c and 3e as illustrated in FIGS. 4(b) and 4(c).

The blanks 1 for the horizontal frame members 12 are slit at each end at 13 and inwardly from each end along the fold lines 2a, 2b and 2e, 2f in the side panels 3b and 3f to form the tabs 14 and 16. When the frame members 11 are formed into shape, the tabs 7 are folded inwardly between the adjacent side walls 3a and 3c as illustrated in FIGS. 6(b) and 6(c).

The length LI of the tabs 7 is so formed as to provide, when folded inwardly, an end protrusion 9 and central recess 8 which accommodates the central protrusion 19 of the frame member 12.

AMENDED SHEET (Article 34) (IPEA/AU) PCT/AU98/00365 Received 15 March 1999 12 The identical lengths L3 to L5 of the tabs 14 and 16 in the member 12 are so formed to provide, when folded inwardly, recesses 17,18 at opposite sides of the protruding central channel portion 19. The recesses 17,18 accommodate end protrusions 9.

For this purpose, the width L2 of the central panel 3d of member 11 is greater than the width of the central panel 3d of member 12 and the widths L4 and L6 of the side panels 3b and 3f of member 12 are greater than the width of the side panels 3b and 3f of member 11.

io As shown in FIG. 8, at the joining end of the member 11, the tab 7 and wall panels 3a, 3b, 3f and 3g are formed with respective central apertures 20 and the tabs 14,16 and at the end of the complementary member 12 and the adjoining panels 3a, 3d, 3g are formed with apertures 21. The apertures 20 and 21 align when the ends of the members 11,12 are overlapped in a joining relationship as illustrated in FIG. 9, and are through bolted by self tapping bolts or screws 22 to secure the members 11,12 rigidly together.

For this purpose, it will be seen that the apertures 20,21 are placed in panels in which fasteners 22 may be accessed by a shaft of a power screw driver or the like for rapid assembly.

The assembled rectangular frame 23 will be rigid with the joints or a structural skin applied thereto resisting the loads applied along the line of the wall. However, if desired lateral bracing struts may be connected thereto by the fasteners 22 or additional fasteners as required.

Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 11 the frames 23 are wall height and have continuous central channels, -which open outwardly for location about a correspondingly rectangular sectioned bottom plate. A corresponding top plate may be used to tie the upper horizontal members 12 together and/or to provide a connection for roof trusses eand-the like.

AMENDED SHEET (Article 34) (IPEA/AU) WO 98/57001 PCT/AU9800365 13 As can be clearly seen in FIG. 11 the upright side channels 32 mate to form open box sections 25 which may hold a joining spline or carry services or the like. The mating wall panels 3d may be interconnected by screwing or the like.

FIG. 13 illustrates a portion of the member 11 of a frame assembly 23 in side by side abutting relationship with a member 11 of an adjacent frame assembly 23. The outer channels face outwardly and thereby the outer channels of the two members 11 open out to each other to define a vertically extending chamber or conduit A reinforcing support post 31 may be mounted on a support surface and extend upwardly through the conduit 30. The support post 31 may typically be made of wood although naturally other materials are also possible. A primary function of the support post 31 is that it maintains structural support in the event of a fire which causes the steel member 11 to melt. This additional structional safety feature is important.

A further advantage of the reinforcing post 31 is that it preserves the continuity of the wall surface when viewed from the outside. This is particularly important as adjacent members 11 are prone to pulling apart from each other as the structure is developed and additional assemblies 23 are added. The continuity of the wall surface provided by the post 31 is very important to the aesthetics and insulation properties of the building.

For multi-storey buildings, it will be seen from FIG. 12 that the abutting oppositely disposed horizontal members 12 have their side panels 3b and 3f in face to face overlying relationship whereby they may be screwed together at opposite sides of the box section 28 formed by the opposing channels 31.

The box sections 25 and 28 provide relatively massive structural members at each framejoint for accommodating normal applied horizontal and vertical loads such that WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 14 construction using these frames should proceed quickly and with minimum further material to provide the structural requirements of the wall.

The frames may be supplied in complete form having at least one skin bonded and/or screwed thereto. Typically the skin would be a particle board such as CRAFTWOOD or a plywood panel.

Tests were carried out by the Technical Structures Laboratory of Queensland University to compare the structural strength of the applicant's frame members as illustrated in the drawings (CDS Sections) with a section frame member section). Both types of section were fabricated from one 1.0 mm G550 Zincalume. The section was formed from steel sheet approximately 194 numm wide while the CDS section was formed from steel sheet 197 mm wide. To simplify the testing there was no restraint other than at the ends and the unavoidable restraint occasioned at the load points.

The following tests were conducted: a) Stud Compression Test; b) Stud Bending Test; and c) Plate Bending Test.

Stud Compression Test In the stud compression test, individual stud sections of 2,700 mm length were tested under axial load. The studs were not restrained against lateral or torsional movement other than by the loading of the plates at each end. The load was applied as evenly as possible.

Two sections and two CDS sections were tested. The results are provided in the table below: WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 Test Identification Sample Failure Load (kN) section stud No. 1 10.6 section stud No. 2 13.3 CDS section stud No. 1 22 CDS section stud No. 2 24.1 Thus the CDS section only failed at approximately twice the load of the "C" section.

Stud Bending Test In the stud bending test individual stud sections of 2,700 mm length were tested under bending load.

One section and one CDS section were subjected to the test. The results are provided in the table below: Test Ultimate Deflection at Load at Identification Load (kN) Ultimate Load Deflection Sample (mm) Span/150 (kN) (approximate) (approximate) section stud 2.3 105 0.9 CDS section stud 1.6 22 The test results can reasonably be taken as indicative of the behaviour of the sections for loads producing a deflection of span/150. As shown in the results table, the CDS section stud carries approximately 1.5 times the load carried by the section stud at a deflection of span divided by 150. A valid comparison cannot be made regarding the ultimate strength of the sections because the modes of failure experienced for both sections were not representative of in-service conditions.

I

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 16 Plate Bending Test In the plate bending test, individual plate sections of 800 mm lengths were tested under bending load. The bending load in deflection was measured as the plate was incrementally loaded to failure. Because the plate sections are not symmetrical about their bend axis, tests were carried out with the plates facing both upwardly and downwardly. The results of the plate bending tests are shown below: Sample Failure Load (kN) Load at Deflection span/150 (kN) (approximate) section plate up No. 1 2.121 2 section plate up No. 2 2.141 2 section plate up No. 3 2.162 2 section plate down No. 1 6.984 6 section plate down No. 2 6.884 6 section plate down No. 3 6.857 6 CDS section plate up No. 1 5.264 4 CDS section plate up No. 2 5.344 4 CDS section plate up No. 3 5.367 4 CDS section plate down No. 1 7.197 4 CDS section plate down No. 2 7.149 4 CDS section plate down No. 3 6.949 4 In this test all of the test sections except for one section plate failed in local bearing under the point load. Therefore different results would have been obtained if the load was applied over a larger area in order to eliminate the local bearing failure.

WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 17 In summary the CDS section plate with its flanges up is around 2.5 times as strong min bending as the section plate with flanges up.

The CDS section plate with flanges down is marginally stronger in bending than the section plate with flanges down. For a continuous plate as distinct from the simply supported plate as tested, the CDS section can carry around 1.3 times the load carried by the section.

Summary The tests indicate that a 2,700 mm long CDS section will support approximately twice the compressive load supported by a section stud.

The tests also show that a 2,700 mm long CDS section stud will support around times the bending load supported by a section stud at the serviceability deflection limit.

The plate bending test showed that for a continuous plate spanning 600 mm between supports a CDS section plate will support approximately 1.3 times the load supported by a section plate and that a CDS section plate has approximately the same stiffness as a section plate.

Finally therefore the test results showed that the CDS sections performed either similarly or better than a section manufactured from the same material and with approximately the same amount of steel.

An advantage of the frame assembly described above is that it provides frame members joined together which resist deviation and deformation even if a load is applied thereto. This enables steel buildings of appropriate strength to be constructed easily and efficiently. The structural features of the frame such as the box structure and the attachment along three mutually orthogonal axes improves flame rigidity and WO 98/57001 PCT/AU98/00365 18 improves the axial and torsional load bearing properties of the assembly. The attachment of the two members is very simple and can be done quickly and efficiently during construction by workers without special skills.

It is also possible to pass utilities such as water piping, electrical wiring or coolant piping for air conditioners through the hollow section of the member.

It will of course be realized that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (22)

1. A frame assembly for a building, the assembly including: a first plurality of frame members and a second plurality of frame members, each of said members of said first and second plurality defining two major surfaces and having a central channel opening to one face of the member and side channels on each side of the central channel opening to the other face of the member, wherein the first plurality of members has the base webs of the side channels removed at the ends thereof, and wherein the second plurality of members has the base web of the central channel removed at the ends thereof such that the side channel sections extend beyond the central channel section such that the ends of the first plurality of members are complementary to the ends of the second plurality of members, and wherein the ends of the base webs of the side channels of the first plurality of members are cut away from their respective side flanges and folded back inwardly 15 into the channel to form tabs which mate with the base webs of the side channels of a member of the second plurality of members thereby providing overlapping surfaces o for attachment. .00

2. A frame assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the ends of the base web of the central channel of the second plurality of members are cut away from its respective side flanges and folded back inwardly into the channel to form tabs which mate with the base web of the central channel of a member of the first plurality of members when the two are attached, thereby providing overlapping surfaces for attachment by the attachment means.

3. A frame assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the inwardly folded ends of the base webs of the first and second plurality of members are folded substantially perpendicular to the remainder of the web so as to facilitate attachment of the frame members at right angles to one another.

4. A frame assembly according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the members of the first plurality of members engage the members of the second plurality of members such that the engaged members have overlapping mating surfaces extending in three substantially mutually orthogonal axes.

A frame assembly according to claim 4, including attachment means for attaching each of the members of the first plurality of members to the adjacent members of the second plurality of members.

6. A frame assembly according to claim 5, wherein the overlapping mating surfaces of each of the first and second plurality of members define aligned apertures, and wherein the attachment means comprises fastening elements which are passed through said aligned apertures to securely attach the members to each other.

7. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the frame 15 assembly includes two vertically spaced horizontally extending members interconnected by two horizontally spaced vertically extending members such that i the assembly has a substantially rectangular configuration.

8. A frame assembly according to claim 7, wherein the horizontally extending members are arranged with the central channel facing outwardly relative to the rest of the frame assembly and the vertically extending members are arranged with the central channel facing inwardly relative to the rest of the frame assembly. •t

9. A frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each 25 member is made out of sheet steel and is treated to resist corrosion thereof and the sheet steel has a thickness of 0.8 1 .5 mm.

A method of forming a frame member for use in a frame assembly, the method including the step of: folding a rectangular sheet of steel into seven side by side portions, each portion being folded substantially perpendicularly about its line of interconnection with the adjacent portion so as to form a member having a central channel facing to one the member and side channels facing to opposite sides of the member, and including the step of cutting slits in opposed ends of the central panel portion to form two tabs and folding the two tabs inwardly such that they extend substantially orthogonally inwardly relative to the remainder of the central panel portion.

11. A method according to claim 10, including the step of drilling holes in a plurality of portions towards each end of the portions.

12. A method of forming a frame member for use in a frame assembly, the method including the step of: folding a rectangular sheet of steel into seven side by side portions, each portion being folded substantially perpendicularly about its line of interconnection with the adjacent portion so as to form a member having a central channel facing to one side of the member and side channels facing to opposite sides of the member, and including the step of cutting slits in opposed ends of the panel portions on either side 15 of the central portion spaced one away from the central portion to form two tabs on each of the portions, and folding the two pairs of tabs inwardly such that they extend substantially orthogonally inwardly relative to the remainder of the portion.

13. A method according to claim 12, including the step of drilling holes in a plurality of portions towards each end of the portions.

14. A frame building including a plurality of frame assemblies as defined in claim 1, the assemblies being arranged in side by side abutting relationship to form a peripheral wall.

A frame building according to claim 14, wherein in addition to said frame assemblies being arranged in side by side abutting relationship, they are also mounted on top of each other to form two layers of panels in forming the peripheral wall.

16. A frame building according to claim 15, having an upper and a lower storey and the floor of the upper storey is supported on the peripheral wall.

17. A frame building according to any one of claims 14 to 16, including reinforcing posts positioned between adjacent abutting frame assemblies.

18. A frame building according to claim 17, wherein the support posts are made of wood and wherein the posts are received within communicating side channels of adjacent vertically extending frame members.

19. A frame building according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the building is a house and which includes a roof which is supported on the peripheral wall.

A steel frame formed from a plurality of frame members, each frame member being formed into first to seventh band-shaped sections divided by first to sixth bend lines which extend parallel in one direction, and at least first, third, fifth and seventh band-shaped sections formed with the same width, and so that said first, third, fifth 15 and seventh band-shaped sections are perpendicular to remaining second, fourth and sixth band-shaped sections, they are bent into a valley shape at said first, second, fifth and sixth bend lines, and into a mountain shape at the remaining third and fourth bend lines, forming a section with alternate open-ended rectangle shaped depression sections and protruding sections, and a notch section formed along third and fifth bend lines at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the fourth band-shaped 0• section on the main body of the frame, and a bend section formed on the end of said fourth band-shaped section between both notch sections with the length of this notch S being the same as the width of said fourth band-shaped section, and this bend section is bent perpendicularly downward with respect to said fourth band-shaped section, thereby forming an open-ended rectangle-shaped cut out section surrounded 0 by said bend section and third and fifth band-shaped sections.

21. A steel frame formed from a plurality of frame members, each frame member being formed into first to seventh band-shaped sections divided by first to sixth bend lines which extend parallel in one direction, and at least first, third, fifth and seventh band-shaped sections are formed with the same width, and so that said first, third, fifth and seventh band-shaped sections are perpendicular to remaining second, fourth and sixth band-shaped sections, they are bent into a valley shape at said first, second, fifth and sixth bend lines, and into a mountain shape at the remaining third and fourth bend lines, forming a section with alternate open-ended rectangle shaped depression sections and protruding sections, wherein a notch section is formed at both ends in a longitudinal direction of the second band-shaped section of the main body of the frame along first and second bend lines, and with the length of this notch section being substantially the same as the width of said second band-shaped section, a bend section is formed at the end of said second band-shaped section of both notch sections, and a further notch section is formed along fifth and sixth bend lines at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the sixth band-shaped section of said main body of the frame, and with the length of this notch section substantially the same as the width of said sixth band-shaped section, a bend section is formed on the ends of said sixth band-shaped section, between both notch sections, and both said bend sections are bent substantially perpendicularly upwards with respect to second and sixth band-shaped sections respectively, thereby forming an open-ended 15 rectangle-shaped cut-out section which is surrounded by said bend section and first and third band-shaped sections and an open-ended rectangle-shaped cut-out section surrounded by said bend section and fifth and seventh band-shaped sections.

-22. A steel frame structure formed from first and second frames, each frame being formed into first to seventh band-shaped sections divided by first to sixth bend lines which extend parallel in one direction, and at least first, third, fifth and seventh band- shaped sections are formed with the same width, and so that said first, third, fifth and seventh band-shaped sections are perpendicular to remaining second, fourth and sixth band-shaped sections, they are bent into a valley shape at said first, second, S 25 fifth and sixth bend lines, and into a mountain shape at the remaining third and fourth bend lines, forming a section with alternate open-ended rectangle-shaped depression sections and protruding sections, said first frame having notch sections being formed along the fourth and fifth bend lines on both ends in a longitudinal direction of the fourth band-shaped section on the main body of the first frame and the length of said notch sections being substantially the same as the width of the fourth band-shaped section, a bend section being formed on the end of said fourth band-shaped section between both notch sections, this bend section being bent downwards /rpendicularly with respect of said fourth band-shaped section, thereby forming an open-ended rectangle-shaped cut-out section surrounded by said bend section and said third and fifth band-shaped sections, and said second frame having notch sections being formed along the first and second bend lines on both ends in a longitudinal direction of the second band-shaped section of the main body of the second frame, and with the length of said notch sections being substantially the same as the width of the second band-shaped section, a bend section is formed on the ends of said second band-shaped section between both notch sections, and notch sections being formed along the fifth and sixth bend lines on both ends in a longitudinal direction of the sixth band-shaped section of said main body of the second frame, and with the length of these notch sections being substantially the same as the width of the sixth band-shaped section, a bend section being formed on the end of the sixth band-shaped section between both notch sections, and both said bend sections being bent perpendicularly upwards with respect to the second and sixth band-shaped sections respectively, thereby forming an open-ended rectangle- 15 shaped cut-out section surrounded by said bend section and first and third band- shaped sections, and an open-ended rectangle-shaped cut-out section surrounded o by said bend section and fifth and seventh band-shaped sections respectively, and at least the second and sixth band-shaped sections of the second frame are at least slightly wider than the second and sixth band-shaped sections of the first frame, and at least the fourth band-shaped section of the second frame is at least slightly narrower than the fourth band-shaped section of the first frame. DATED THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2002 S S9 CDS NU-STEEL PTY LTD BY PIZZEYS PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS