EP2213807A1

EP2213807A1 - A modular cladding structure and a method for realisation thereof

Info

Publication number: EP2213807A1
Application number: EP10151766A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabio Valentini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-01-30
Filing date: 2010-01-27
Publication date: 2010-08-04
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-27
Also published as: EP2213807B1; IT1395566B1; ITBO20090042A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular cladding structure (1) for use in flooring or cladding and a method for realising the structure. The modular structure (1) comprises: a frame (2) comprising at least two support beams (31, 32, 33, 34); at least a first sound-absorbent panel (9) having predefined flame-retardant properties; and at least a sill (11) which can be fixed to the frame (2) in order to secure the at least a first panel (9) against the frame (2). In addition, the structure (1) comprises: at least a spacer (12) interposed between the at least a first panel (9) and the at least a sill (11) in order to create a space, at least a second panel (14) which is heat-insulating, and at least a bearing panel (15) which is fixable on the frame (2). The method comprises steps of: assembling a frame (2) comprising at least two support beams (31, 32, 33, 34); arranging on the frame (2) at least a first panel (9) having determined fire-retardant proprieties; and fixing at least a sill (11) to the frame (2) in order to secure the at least a first panel (9) to the frame (2).

Description

The present invention relates to the technical sector of flooring and cladding of architectural structures (building, schools, sports facilities, etc.). More in particular, the invention relates to a modular cladding structure for use in flooring and cladding in general, and to a method for realisation thereof.
The existing national and international standards comprise certain legal requisites for construction of flooring and cladding structures. A cladding flooring must, according to these requirements, have a predetermined rating for loads and overloads and must have defined heat and acoustic insulation properties, as well as acoustic absorption properties of the internal cladding surface for noises produced inside; in addition, a cladding flooring can be required to have a determined level of fire-retardant qualities as well as a defined class of reaction to fire.
These pre-requisites are at present only partially satisfied by structural and functional elements which are assembled directly in the work-site during the stage of construction of the floor or cladding; the floor is thus composed of a plurality of heterogeneous layers.
The structural part of a cladding can be obtained by first providing a framework of main beams of a given section and a further framework of secondary beams having a smaller section, forming overall a support grid on which main and secondary beams, planks or panels (for example made of plywood) are later fixed; main beams, secondary beams and planks or panels thus perform a bearing function.
Other functional elements are included in order to make up, together with the bearing part, a "layered" flooring: thermal insulation (in the form of panels) is arranged superiorly or inferiorly of the planks or panels; between the planks or panels and the secondary and primary beams, panels having acoustic insulation with flame-resistant and fire-retardant properties as required by the standards can be interposed (for example, the panel can have sixty-minutes' fire-resistance and a class-one fire reaction, i.e. a very limited degree of combustibility.
At present the acoustic panels, i.e. sound-absorbent, that are mostly used in the construction sector are cement and glass fibre panels, among which in particular are panels known as Celenit ® or Eraclit ®, or plasterboard. A drawback connected to the use of these acoustic panels is their unpleasant aesthetic impact: by interposing between the bearing planks or panels and the primary and secondary beams they give an artificial aspect to the part of ceiling that remains in view, at least partly depriving it of the very fine rustic effect sought after by architects and final users.
The cement, glass fibre or plasterboard panels (cement ones being usually preferable as they are more economical and better in terms of acoustic insulation) further must be plastered along the edges with the aim of covering the spaces existing between flanking panels. Although this operation is not necessary for functional reasons (for example it is possible to provide male-female joints for their mutual coupling), it is sometimes indispensable from the aesthetic point of view.
The above-described assembly stages for the composition of a floor or a cladding are made by craftsmen in the work-site and require certain manual skills and experience on the part of the work personnel. Further, these operations exhibit a certain degree of complexity, if account is taken of the height at which the operations have to be done at and the specifications in terms of security which have to be respected, and require a considerable amount of time to be completed.
In the light of the above-described drawbacks relating to the prior art, the aim of the present invention consists in providing a new solution which enables cladding floors to be realised that respond to the standards and requisites relating to structural questions and to heat and acoustic insulation, as well as to resistance and reaction to fire, and also provide a ceiling which is pleasant to behold.
A further aim of the present invention is to provide a new technical solution which does not require a high degree of manual skills to be laid, nor a large outlay of time for the operatives laying it.
A further aim of the invention consists in providing a technical solution the costs of which are lower with respect to those required for realisation of floors and claddings of conventional type, or which are at least lower when taking into consideration the other set objectives as defined herein above.
The above aims are obtained with a modular cladding structure for use in flooring or cladding according to claim 1, and a method for realising a modular cladding structure according to claim 10.
In accordance with claim 1, the modular cladding structure is characterised in that it comprises: a frame comprising at least two support beams, at least a first member having defined fire-retardant properties, and at least a sill which is fastenable to the frame in order to secure at least a first member against the frame.
In accordance with claim 10, the method is characterised in that it comprises the following stages: assembling a frame comprising at least two support beams; nearing a least a first member having defined fire-retardant properties to the frame; fastening at least a sill to the frame to secure the at least a first member against the frame.
The first member having fire-retardant properties (preferably a determined fire resistance and reaction) is for example shaped as a panel and is preferably sound-absorbent; by way of non-limiting example, this panel can be a panel made of cement, mineral, plaster-fibre, laminate, Celenit ® or Eraclit ®.
By way of example, if the frame is made of wood the fire-retardant and sound-absorbent panels are not generally suited to being fastened to the support beams of the frame, due to their intrinsic fragility which would not enable them to be supported by the heads of the nails, or washers or the like; the fact of using, in accordance with the present invention, at least a sill for blocking the panels via nailing to the support beams is seen to be extremely advantageous inasmuch as it guarantees a stable and safe assembly of the thus-defined modular cladding structure.
The method of the invention advantageously enables realisation of the modular cladding structure in the form of a prefabricated assembly industrially realisable by means of automatic machines. This leads to a series of further significant technical-functional advantages in terms of: lower unit costs for the modular cladding structure with respect to a work-site assembly of conventional type; shorter times and costs for assembly in the work-site; smaller use of cranes and platforms for mounting at height; reliability and guarantee of the performance of the modular structure, which can be confirmed by testing certificates on samples (the modular structures can be realised in series and according to predetermined production standards, and are no longer put together at the work-site by craftsmen); simplification of the structural calculation of the thus-obtained floorings and cladding, the constructional details and the production designs.
To this can be added the fact that the smaller use of equipment, the greater simplicity of laying and mounting the modular structures and the shorter time required for these operations is also reflected in an increase in safety for the workers; further, the greater laying and mounting simplicity requires no use of qualified personnel.
Further, the use of at least a sill made of wood or another material has not only a technical effect for the aims of fastening the first member to the frame, but further gives to the modular structure a pleasant appearance if it is arranged in such a way that the part in which the at least a sill is visible (preferably a plurality of sills) is destined to constitute the in-view side of a ceiling, for example.
It is clear from the above how the present invention, defined in its general form in independent claims 1 and 10, brilliantly solves the above-described drawbacks of the known-type solutions.
More specific embodiments capable of providing further advantages with respect to those already mentioned are defined, again in general terms, in the appended dependent claims.
The modular structure of the invention can comprise one or more heat-insulating members, preferably in the form of panels, fixable to the frame preferably on the opposite side thereof to the side on which the at least a sill is fastened to the frame. The arrangement of one or more heat-insulating panels of variable thickness in the modular structure gives the structure heat insulation properties such as to respond to the requisites imposed by the existing standards.
The modular structure of the invention can further comprise at least a (preferably just one) bearing panel fastenable to the frame, preferably on the opposite side to that to which the at least a sill is fastened to the frame.
The modular structure defined in independent claims 1 and 10 with the specification of using a first member having additional acoustic insulating properties and with provision of a heat-insulating panel and a bearing panel give the structure a pack-form able fully to satisfy the standard requirements. All the advantageous technical-functional characteristics mentioned above with reference to the invention of independent claims 1 and 10 are in this way further amplified by the above-mentioned further embodiments.
In addition, the sill or sills can be angularly arranged (for example by an angle of thirty, forty-five, ninety degrees) with respect to the axes of the frame beams, such as to further stabilise the blocking of the first member to the frame. Each sill can be fastened, for example by nailing, directly to all the beams of the frame.
In a further embodiment of the invention, combinable with the above-defined variants, the modular structure can comprise at least a spacer interposed between the at least a first member and the at least a sill in order to create a space. In this way the space creates a shadow effect with tends to more greatly hide the first member with respect to the sill destined to remain in view; the sill or sills, made of wood or another material, have an aesthetic appeal which is certainly greater than the first member (for example a Celenit ®) panel), and thanks to the space the sills can be made to stand out with respect to the first member.
In addition, if the first member is sound-absorbent the use of spacers to create a space can present a further advantage. The special reciprocal conformation and arrangement of the spacer, the first member and the sill to create the space can overall increase sound absorption with respect to only the use of the first sound-absorbing member. A cavity resonance is created in the space which dampens the sound waves. This is particularly advantageous in a case where the modular structure of the invention is used in a flooring or cladding of an architectural structure having considerably high acoustic requirements (that is for which the sound absorbency of the noise produced internally thereof is necessary) in order to prevent reverberation inside the room.
Alternatively one or more sound-absorbent panels can be inserted in the area identified by the space, in order further to increase sound absorbency; by way of example, these additional panels can be chosen to effectively filter a specific range of frequencies and thus function as filters. These panels can be glazed or can have a suitable colour so as not to negatively affect the aesthetic appeal of the modular structure in the side destined to remain in view.
In a further embodiment, the at least two support beams of the frame can be arranged such as to form respective lateral opposite sides of the modular structure and means can be provided for fastening each support beam to the modular structure with a support beam of an adjacent modular structure. This enables a join to be made between contiguous modular structures to form a flooring or cladding. The mutual fastening of adjacent modular structures by means of, for example, male-female couplings, advantageously prevents any need for use of bracing structures.
Specific embodiments of the invention, and advantageous technical-functional characteristics correlated to the further embodiments are only in part deducible from the above description, will now be described, in agreement with what is set out in the claims and with the aid of the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a modular cladding structure according to the present invention;
figures 2A-2G show, in small-scale, stages of mounting the modular structure of figure 1 in an embodiment of a method which is also the object of the present invention;
figure 3 is a lateral view of the modular structure of figure 1;
figure 4 is a partial view in large-scale of the modular structure along section line IV-IV of figure 3;
figure 4A is a partial view in large-scale of the modular structure along section line IV-IV of figure 3, in a further embodiment of the method;
figure 5 is a schematic partial view of the modular structure according to arrow X of figure 3;
figure 6 is a schematic view from below of a portion of a cladding flooring comprising main beams (forming a primary framework) and the modular cladding structures of the invention which are mounted on the main beams;
figure 7 is the view of section VII-VII of figure 6;
figure 8 is the view of section VIII-VIII of figure 6.

With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety the modular structure of the invention, while 2 denotes a framework, which is in the illustrated embodiment composed of four support beams 31, 32, 33, 34 which are parallel and distanced from one another by small cross-beams 4. The cross-beams 4 are arranged, with respect to the support beams 31, 32, 33, 34 in such a way as not to interfere with the following assembly stages of the modular structure 1 which will be described herein below: the cross-beams 4, for example, are mounted at the ends of the support beams 31, 32, 33, 34.
One of the two external support beams 34 affords a longitudinal groove 66 on the external surface 5 thereof (figure 3) at about halfway in the thickness of the beam, which groove 66 develops, for example, over the whole length of the support beam 34; further the external support beam 34 affords two recesses 6, 7 (figure 1) in the external surface 5, which recesses 6, 7 are of predetermined dimensions such as ideally to divide the external support beam 34 into three segments which are substantially of the same length.
Similarly, the other external support beam 31 affords, at about halfway in the thickness of the beam, a longitudinal projection 8 which develops, for example, over the whole length of the support beam 31; further, the external support beam 31 affords two recesses 6, 7 of predetermined dimensions in the external surface 5 such as ideally to divide the external support beam 31 into three segments which are substantially of a same length.
The longitudinal groove 66 of the external beam 34 and the longitudinal projection 8 of the external beam 31 exhibit complementary profiles; in this way a mechanical coupling of beams of contiguous modular structure cladding beams is made possible, as can be seen in figure 8. A like coupling prevents two modular contiguous cladding structures from being arranged staggered to one another in height, i.e. with respect to a perpendicular direction to the planar development thereof.
When two modular structures 1 are coupled to one another as above-described, and are mutually aligned longitudinally without any staggering, the recesses 6, 7 of the facing beams meet in such a way as to identify an open space only at a side thereof; to prevent longitudinal sliding between contiguous modular structures 1 a block can be inserted in the space (not illustrated).
The coupling between contiguous modular cladding structure 1 for preventing longitudinal sliding and staggered arrangement of the structures in height advantageously prevents recourse to bracing structures for construction of the flooring or cladding. Other alternative fastening means, not mentioned in the rest of this description, could also be used.
Still with reference to figure 1, 9 denotes sound-absorbent panels having defined fire resistance and reaction properties; the panels 9 are destined to be rested on a side of the frame 2 and possibly glued or nailed thereto in order to stabilise the positions thereof before being blocked against the beams 31, 32, 33, 34. The panels 9 are for example Celenit ® panels. In order to account for the fragility of these panels 9, reinforcing sills 10 are comprised, to be fixed laterally to the whole group of panels 9 located in contact with one another on the frame 2.
A plurality of sills 11, regularly distanced parallel to one another, are included to be fixed to the frame 2, in particular to the beams 31, 32, 33, 34, in order to block the panels 9 stably against the beams 31, 32, 33, 34. In the illustrated example in the figures, the sills 11 are arranged at a ninety-degree angle with respect to the beams 31, 32, 33, 34; in this way each sill 11 can be fixed, for example using nails 13, to each beam 31, 32, 33, 34.
Longitudinal spacers 12 are fixed between the sills 11 and the panels 9, which spacers 12 are destined to be arranged aligned with respect to the development of the beams 31, 32, 33, 34; in other words, the spacers 12 are perpendicular to the sills 11 and parallel to and superposed on the support beams 31, 32, 33, 34. The presence of the spacers 12 creates an air space between the sills 11 and the panels 9; this forms a resonance cavity which functions as a trap for the sound waves, which once having reached the space remain trapped and progressively diminish during reflection thereof between the walls of the panels 9 and the surfaces of the sills 11 which face the panels 9.
As specified above, the presence of the spacers 12 also has the advantageous effect of reducing the aesthetic impact of the panels 9, creating zones of shadow and thus facilitating the advantageous appearance of the sills 11 destined to remain in view.
The fixing of the sills 11 to the beams 31, 32, 33, 34 is done for example with nails 13 (figure 4): each nail 13 is applied in such a way as to perforate, in order, a sill 11, a spacer 12, a panel 9 and a beam 31, 32, 33, 34. The positioning of the nails 13 therefore ideally follows the development of the spacers 12. The heads of the nails 13 can thus run along the surface of the sills 11 destined to remain in view; the traces of the presence of the nail 13 are invisible if the flooring cladding is destined to be arranged at a sufficient height from the underlying floor.
As an alternative (which is also to be considered a further embodiment of the method described herein below, see figure 4A), the sills 11 can be fixed to the spacers 12 by nails 130 of a suitable length, such that each nail 130 perforates, in order, a spacer 12 and a sill 11 without exiting from the sill 11. Thereafter it is necessary to fix the assembly formed by the sills 11 and the spacers 12 to the frame by means of further nails 13; for this, each nail 13 is destined to perforate, in order, a spacer 12, a panel 9 and a beam 31, 32, 33, 34. In this case it is the sill 11- spacer 12 assembly which blocks the panels 9 against the frame 2. The nails 130 are not visible, while only the heads of the nails 13 applied on the spacers 12 are visible in the space between a sill 11 and another.
In a comparison between two modular structures 1 of the invention, obtained with the different fastening modes described above, visible in figures 4, 4A, it is clear how in the alternative embodiment the heads of the nails 13 visible on the spacers 12 are less evident with respect to the heads of the nails 13 applied to the sills 11 in the main embodiment; the spacers 12 are arranged below the sills 11 with respect to the side of the modular structure 1 destined to remain in view, and thus are less visible. Further, the heads of the nails are "invisible" in the further embodiment of figure 4A if the spacers 12 are dark in colour, for example black.
Using the fixing system of the described embodiment is particularly advantageous in aesthetic terms if the modular structures 1 are destined to form a flooring or cladding of a limited height with respect to the underlying floor. 14 denotes a plurality of heat-insulating panels destined to be inserted between pairs of beams 31 and 32, 33 and 34, preferably on an opposite side to the side where the sills 11 are destined to be applied. The heat-insulating panels 14 can be fixed by known means (for example: nailing or gluing) to the frame 2 or to the sound-absorbent panels 9, or can simply be rested on them (figure 2) or be inserted by friction fitting between the sound-absorbent panels 9. Each heat-insulating panel 14 is of such a size as to fit snugly between the beams 31, 32, 33 and 34 between which it is fitted (or, as mentioned, to constitute a friction fit). 15 denotes a bearing panel made of wood or another material (for example, plywood or wood fibre), destined to be fixed to the frame 2 and to constitute together with the frame the structural part of the modular cladding structure 1 of the present invention. The bearing panel 15 is of a substantially identical size as the panels of the frame 2 and is fixed thereto using known methods (for example by nailing or gluing).
The modular cladding structure 1 thus defined and illustrated in the exploded view of figure 1 can be assembled by means of an industrial process using automatic machines.
With reference to figures 2A-2G, there now follows a description of the method for realising the modular structure of figure 1 in a preferred embodiment, which comprises following operating steps:

a) assembling the group of four support beams 31, 32, 33, 34 and the cross-beams to one another in order to obtain the frame 2 (figure 2A) arranged on a horizontal plane with a side A thereof facing upwards;
b) arranging, restingly on the frame 2, the plurality of sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9 side-by-side in order substantially to cover the side A of the modular structure 1 being formed (figure 2B);
c) stabilising (optionally) by gluing or nailing, for example, the panels 9 to the frame 2, with the sole aim of facilitating the subsequent stages of assembly of the modular structure 1 being formed;
d) arranging, restingly on the plurality of sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9, four longitudinal spacers 12 aligned respectively with the support beams 31, 32, 33, 34 (figure 2C);
e) securing (optionally) by gluing or nailing, for example, the longitudinal spacers 12 to the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9, with the sole aim of facilitating the subsequent stages of assembly of the modular structure 1 being formed;
f) arranging the sills 11 restingly on the spacers 12 such that the sills 11 are parallel to and distanced by a predetermined amount from one another, and are perpendicular with respect to the support beams 31, 32, 33, 34 (figure 2D);
g) fixing the sills 11 to the frame 2 for example by nailing such that each nail 13 perforates a sill 11, a spacer 12, a panel 9 and a beam 31, 32, 33, 34, to further obtain a securing of the panels 9 against the frame 2;
h) tilting the modular cladding structure 1 being formed by an angle of 180° (figure 2E) with respect to the longitudinal development axis thereof in order that the side B of the modular structure 1 being formed, opposite side A, is facing upwards, i.e. such that the arrangement of the sills 11 contacts the ground or is in any case facing downwards;
i) inserting the plurality of heat-insulating panels 14 between pairs of contiguous beams 31 and 32, 33, and 34 and resting on the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9 (figure 2F);
j) fixing (optionally) the heat-insulating panels 14 to the frame 2 and/or to the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9;
k) arranging the bearing panel 15 restingly on the beams 31, 32, 33, 34 of the frame 2;
l) fixing the bearing panel 15 to the beams 31, 32, 33, 34 using known methods (for example nailing or gluing).

The sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9, as well as the longitudinal spacers 12, are preferably secured in position before the arrangement and the fixture of the sills 11 to the frame 2; however, this stage of securing could be done without.
The heat-insulation panels 14 too can be rested on the modular structure 1 in formation (for example on the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels) without being solidly constrained to the modular structure 1 by nailing or gluing:

by way of example, they can be of such a size as to insert between pairs of beams 31 and 32, 32 and 33, 33 and 34 by slight friction-coupling. In any case, the heat-insulating panels 14 are packed internally of the frame 2 structure as they are interposed between the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9 and the bearing panel 15; once the modular cladding structure 1 is installed as an integrated part of a cladding flooring, for example, the heat-insulating panels 14 are stably resting by force of gravity on the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9.

The method for realising a modular cladding structure 1 of the embodiment of figure 4A comprises stages (of which only some are specifically illustrated in the drawings as they are identical to the steps of the main embodiment, i.e. stages a), b), c), and stages h), i), j), k), I)) of:

a) assembling the four support beams 31, 32, 33, 34 and the cross-pieces 4 to one another in order to obtain the frame 2 (figure 2A);
b) arranging the plurality of sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9 restingly on the frame 2, side-by-side to one another in order substantially to cover an entire side A of the modular structure 1 under formation (figure 2B);
c) securing (optionally) by gluing or nailing, for example, the panels 9 to the frame 2 with the sole aim of facilitating the subsequent stages of assembly of the modular structure 1 under formation;
d1) arranging the sills 11 restingly on a horizontal plane in order that they are parallel, distanced by a predetermined amount from one another and have the side destined to remain in view arranged facing downwards;
e1) arranging the four longitudinal spacers 12 on the sills 11 such as to be parallel to one another, and distanced by an amount which is equal to the interaxis of the pairs of contiguous beams 31 and 32, 32 and 33, 33 and 34 and perpendicular to the underlying sills 11;
f1) fixing, for example by nailing (see figure 4A) the spacers 12 to the sills 11 with nails 130 of a suitable length for not exiting from the sills 11;
g1) arranging the rigid assembly formed by the sills 11 and the longitudinal spacers 12 on the frame 2 and on the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9, in such as way that the sills 11 are facing upwards and the longitudinal spacers 12 are aligned with the beams 31, 32, 33, 34;
h1) fixing the assembly to the frame 2, for example by nailing the longitudinal spacers 12 at portions thereof, which spacers 12 remain in view between a sill 11 and an adjacent sill 11, such that each nail 13 perforates a spacer 12, a panel 9 and a beam 31, 32, 33, 34, in order further to obtain a securing of the panels 9 against the frame 2;

An expert will readily understand that stages d1, e1, f1 can alternatively be performed before stages a, b, c.
Figure 6 shows a portion of a cladding flooring 17 obtained by mutually coupling different modular cladding structures 1: the modular structures 1 are arranged resting on sheet-type main beams 18 (as previously mentioned, the main beams 18 form the primary framework) and thereafter are fixed to the main beams 18 using substantially known methods to the expert in the sector.
The broken line denoted by reference K indicates the dimensional reach of a modular cladding structure 1 of the invention.
Note that figure 6 does not show the spacers 12, for the sake of simplicity; however, the spacers 12 and the sound-absorbent and fire-retardant panels 9 can be indistinguishable to the naked eye if painted a same colour (for example a dark colour such as black) and if the cladding flooring 17 is arranged at a sufficient height from the underlying flooring. In this case, the classing flooring 17 advantageously has, on the visible side thereof, a pleasantly rustic appearance, with main beams 18 and sills 11 made, for example, of wood.
The foregoing has been described by way of non-limiting example, and any eventual variants of a practical-applicational nature are understood to fall within the ambit of protection of the invention as claimed herein below.

Claims

A modular cladding structure for use in flooring or cladding characterized in that it comprises:
a frame (2) comprising at least two supporting beams (31, 32, 33, 34);

at least a first panel (9) having determined fire-retardant proprieties;

and at least a sill (11) fixable to said frame (2) in order to secure said at least one first panel (9) against said frame (2).
The modular structure according to claim 1, wherein said at least a sill (11) is angularly arranged with respect to the at least two supporting beams (31, 32, 33, 34) in order to be fixed to both the at least two supporting beams (31, 32, 33, 34).
The modular structure according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising at least a second panel (14) which is heat-insulating and fixable to the modular structure itself.
The modular structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least a first panel (9) is sound-insulating.
The modular structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising at least a spacer (12), which is interposed between the at least a first panel (9) and said at least a sill (11) such as to create an inter-space.
The modular structure according to claim 5, wherein the at least a first panel (9) is sound-insulating and wherein the at least a spacer (12), the at least a first panel (9) and the at least a sill (11) are shaped and arranged with respect to one another in order to increase acoustic absorption.
The modular structure according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least a bearing panel (15) fixable to the frame (2) on an opposite side of the frame (2) to a side thereof on which the at least a sill (11) is fixed to the frame (2).
The modular structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two supporting beams (31, 32, 33, 34) of the frame (2) are arranged to form respective opposite side edges of the modular structure (1), and wherein means (6, 7, 66, 8) are provided for fixing each supporting beam (31, 32, 33, 34) of the modular structure (1) to a supporting beam (31, 32, 33, 34) of an adjacent modular structure (1).
A cladding floor comprising a plurality of modular covering structures (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the modular cladding structures (1) are coupled with respect to one another.
A method for realizing a modular covering structure for usage in floors or coverings, characterized in that it comprises steps as follow:
- assembling a frame (2) comprising at least two supporting beams (31, 32, 33, 34);

- arranging on the frame (2) at least a first panel (9) having determined fire-retardant proprieties;

- fixing at least a sill (11) to the frame (2) in order to secure the at least a first panel (9) to the frame (2).
The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least a sill (11) is orientated at a determined angle with respect to the at least two supporting beams (31, 32, 33, 34) in order to allow the fixing of the at least a sill (11) to both the at least two supporting beams (31, 32, 33, 34).
The method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising a step of fitting at least a spacer (12) to the at least a first panel (9) prior to the step of fixing the at least a sill (11) to the frame (2), such that an inter-space is identified between the at least a first panel (9) and the at least a sill (11) after the fixing step of the at least a sill (11) to the frame (2).
The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a step of fixing at least a second heat-insulating panel (14) to the modular covering structure (1).
The method according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least a second heat-insulating panel (14) is positioned and fixed to the modular structure (1) on an opposite side thereof to the side on which the at least a sill (11) is fixed to the frame (2).
The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising a step of fixing at least a bearing panel (15) to the frame (2) on an opposite side thereof to the side on which the at least a sill (11) is fixed to the frame (2).