AU2019204859A1

AU2019204859A1 - Inter Partes Wall Module

Info

Publication number: AU2019204859A1
Application number: AU2019204859A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ryan BAXTER
Original assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: CSR Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-06
Filing date: 2019-07-05
Publication date: 2020-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-05
Also published as: AU2019204859B2

Abstract

5 A self-contained prefabricated wall module for installation as a single assembly for forming an inter partes wall between two adjacent apartments or residential units of a multi-dwelling building structure includes a light weight intermediate core wall, typically made from 10 interlocking autoclaved aerated concrete panels located intermediate a first outer support wall or load bearing stud wall structure of metal or timber studs and suitable covering or lining, typically fire resistant plasterboard or dry wall board on one side, and another outer support 15 wall or load bearing stud wall structure of metal or timber studs and suitable covering or lining on the other side wherein the cavities of the stud walls are provided with insulation, typically in the form of batts, provides improved separation and isolation between the adjacent 20 units. The advantage of the prefabricated wall module is that the various multiple components are able to be assembled together to form a single assembly in a factory for transportation by road as an integral unit for lifting into place within a building structure at a building site 25 to form a dividing wall thereby saving time and effort by requiring less experienced and skilled work operatives to build the dividing wall. 11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 1/8 I"C" 116 72b"B" 72a -74 50 50 70a0 3b50 3 5 d 4bFIGURE 5b 50 322 150 4 FIGURE 5

Description

1/8

I"C"

116

72b"B" 72a

50 -74

50

70a0

3b50

3 5 d 4bFIGURE 5b 50 322

150 4 FIGURE 5

INTER PARTES WALL MODULE FIELD

The present description relates to prefabricated building assemblies constructed from different individual components, to methods of manufacturing such prefabricated building assemblies from the different individual components, and to methods of using such prefabricated assemblies.

In one form the present description relates to assemblies in the form of prefabricated wall modules, and to methods of their manufacture.

In one form the present description relates to connectors and to the use of the connectors in forming the prefabricated wall modules from the various different individual components.

In one form the present description relates to prefabricated wall modules for use as internal walls within building structures, including use as or for dividing walls separating two different dwelling spaces, in which the dwelling spaces are located on respective sides of the dividing wall or wall module.

In one form the present description relates to multicomponent prefabricated wall modules manufactured in a manufacturing facility located remote from the building site where the building structure is constructed in which the modules are installed as internal dividing walls between adjacent residential units.

The modules of the present description find particular application as self-contained prefabricated wall modules for installation as a single assembly for

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 forming an inter partes wall between two adjacent apartments or residential units of a multi-dwelling building structure, such as, an apartment building, terrace houses, connected town houses, semi-detached houses or high-rise residential building.

Although the present description will be directed to specific embodiments of wall modules and individual components therefor, it is to be noted that the scope of protection is not restricted to the described embodiments, but rather the scope of protection is more extensive so as to include other forms, variations or modifications of the module and of the individual components from which the module is manufactured or constructed, as well as use of the modules in applications other than specifically described.

BACKGROUND

There is an increasing demand to contain costs when building residential units, particularly high density residential units, such as for example, of the type provided in high-rise apartment blocks, tower blocks, multi-dwelling buildings, townhouses, low-rise residential estates of terrace houses or similar, housing estates of attached or semi-detached housing or the like, including multiple adjacent residential units of single stories or double stories in side by side relationship, typically in the form of terrace houses, attached houses, semi-detached houses or similar. In the past it has been relatively costly to complete all of the walls of a residential unit owing to the close proximity of adjacent residential units, particularly the walls of the adjacent residential units, due to the very limited clearance in the space between the adjacent residential units which space was often insufficient to allow the wall of one unit to be finished before the building of the adjacent other unit

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 could commence. Thus, in the past, it was necessary to build residential units one unit at a time so that access to the wall located between adjacent units was maintained for facilitating completion of building of the first unit by finishing the wall of that unit before construction of the adjacent unit could commence. This increased the overall cost of building all of the residential units, and the overall time taken to complete all of the individual residential units. Therefore, there is a need for alternative building techniques and/or building products allowing the more or less simultaneous construction of at least adjacent residential units or at least reducing the delay between completion of the building of the first unit and the adjacent second unit.

It is an aim to provide an alternative building product or method of construction of a building structure which alleviates at least some of the problems inherent in simultaneously building two residential units in side-by side relationship to one another with little clearance there between.

It is an aim to provide a prefabricated building product which can be used as a dividing wall between two adjacent residential units enabling both residential units to be constructed more or less simultaneously and/or without undue delay.

It is an aim to provide a lower cost alternative building product or method of construction of a building structure having two adjacent residential units in side by-side relationship to one another.

SUMMARY

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a wall module of a building structure,

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 the wall module adapted to form at least part of a dividing wall intermediate a first living space and a second living space, the first living space and the second living space being separate from one another, the wall module comprising: a first support wall located at, on or towards a first side of the wall module, a second support wall located at, on or towards a second side of the wall module, an intermediate wall member located intermediate the first support wall and the second support wall, a first upper connector located intermediate the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, the first upper connector for connecting the first support wall to the intermediate wall member at a first location within the wall module at a first upper spacing apart thereof, a first lower connector located intermediate the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, the first lower connector for connecting the first support wall to the intermediate wall member at a first lower location within the wall module at substantially a first lower spacing apart thereof, the first upper spacing apart being substantially the same as the first lower spacing apart so as to space the first support wall apart from the intermediate wall member to a first predetermined amount, a second upper connector located intermediate the second support wall and the intermediate wall member, the second upper connector for connecting the second support wall to the intermediate wall member at a second upper location within the wall module at a second upper spacing apart thereof, a second lower connector located intermediate the second support wall and the intermediate wall member, the second lower connector for connecting the second support wall to the intermediate wall member at a second

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 lower location within the wall module at a second lower spacing apart thereof, the second upper spacing apart being substantially the same as the second lower spacing apart so as to space the second support wall apart from the intermediate wall member to a second predetermined amount wherein the first upper connector and the first lower connector connect the first support wall to the intermediate wall member in spaced apart relationship to one another in which a dimension of the first upper connector corresponds to the dimension of the first upper spacing apart of the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, and a dimension of the first lower connector corresponds to the dimension of the first lower spacing apart of the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, the dimension of the first upper spacing apart and the dimension of the first lower spacing apart being substantially the same to determine the spacing apart of the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, and, the second upper connector and the second lower connector connect the second support wall to the intermediate wall member in spaced apart relationship to one another in which a dimension of the second upper connector corresponds to the second upper spacing apart of the second support wall and the intermediate wall member, and, in which a dimension of the second lower connector corresponds to the dimension of the second lower spacing apart of the second support wall and the intermediate wall member, and, wherein the first support wall is spaced apart from the intermediate wall member in accordance with the dimension of the first upper connector and first lower connector

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 between the location of the first upper connector and the first lower connector to provide the first spacing apart, and, the second support wall is spaced apart from the intermediate wall member in accordance with the dimension of the second upper connector and second lower connector between the location of the second upper connector and the second lower connector to provide the second spacing apart.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided a connector for connecting a support wall to an intermediate wall member in spaced apart relationship to one another to form a wall module, the connector comprising: a body portion having a top surface, a first flange portion, a second flange portion, the first flange portion being located on a first side of the body portion and the second flange portion being located on a second side of the body portion, a first side wall extending between the top surface and the first flange on the first side of the connector, a second side wall extending between the top surface and the second flange on the second side of the connector, the connector being located such that the body portion of the connector is connected to the intermediate wall member, the first flange and the second flange are each connected to the support wall, such that when the connector is in use in situ intermediate the support wall and the intermediate wall member the spacing apart of the support wall and the intermediate wall member corresponds to the height of the first side wall or the second side wall or to both the first side wall and a second side wall, wherein

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 a first connector is located at, towards or on one edge of the wall module and a second connector is located at, or towards an opposite edge of the wall module.

According to one form of the present invention there is provided an inter partes wall module, comprising: a first stud wall, a second stud wall, an intermediate wall panel, a first side top plate, a first side bottom plate, a second side top plate, a second side bottom plate a first upper connector, a first lower connector, a second upper connector, a second lower connector, the intermediate wall panel being located intermediate the first stud wall and the second stud wall, the intermediate wall panel being connected to the first stud wall by the first upper connector and the first lower connector, the intermediate wall panel and connected to the second stud wall by the second upper connector and the second lower connector, a dimension of the first upper connector and the first lower connector determining the spacing apart of the intermediate wall panel from the first stud wall, and a dimension of the second upper connector and the second lower connector determining the spacing apart of the intermediate wall panel from the second stud wall, wherein the first upper connector is connected to the first top plate, the first lower connector is connected to the first bottom plate, the second upper connector is connected to the second

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 top plate, and the second lower connector is connected to the second bottom plate to maintain the spacing apart of the intermediate wall panel from the first stud wall on one side of the wall module and from the second stud wall on the other side of the wall module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In one form the building product is an assembly of different individual components, including an assembly which is a combination of individual components in which some of the components are the same as each other, and other of the components are different from each other. Typically, the assembly is in the form of a module, more typically, a prefabricated module, preferably a prefabricated wall module, and more preferably, a prefabricated dividing wall module for installation intermediate two adjacent residential units located at the same level or having the same size, such as for example, both residential units being two story town houses or similar detached houses constructed at ground level adjacent one another, or two apartments located at the one level within a high-rise building located adjacent one another.

It is to be noted that the wall modules of the present description can find particular application as walls dividing a living space into separate rooms, separate houses, separate units, separate areas, separate regions, separate zones or the like.

In one form the first support wall, the second support wall, or both the first support wall and the second support wall, are structural walls or self supporting walls, and/or load bearing walls, typically, a wall comprising structural members, elements, lengths,

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 sections or the like. In one form the wall includes frame members or frame elements. A preferred structural wall is a stud wall comprising a multitude of frame members or frame elements in the form of studs arranged in substantially parallel relationship to one another at spaced apart intervals spanning the length of the stud wall from one vertical end or side to the opposite vertical end or side.

In one form the intermediate wall member or core wall or intermediate wall is bounded by studs or framework members along the upper edge, along the lower edge and along either side edges. The studs along the upper edge are top plates whereas the studs along the lower edge are bottom plates. In one form the intermediate wall member or core wall or intermediate wall extends outwardly from the studs or framework members, typically extends upwardly from the top plates along the upper edge of the wall module.

Although the studs can be made from any suitable material, preferred materials include wooden or timber studs, particularly studs derived from pine or other softwood, or metal studs, including steel studs, galvanised iron studs, treated iron studs, or the like. The stud can be of any suitable or convenient size, shape, cross-section, profile, style or the like. A typical shape is a substantially rectangular wooden stud or a substantially "C-shaped" metal stud or the like.

The stud wall can have any other suitable fittings, fixtures, accessories or similar, and may contain other materials, such as for example, one or more layers, laminates, composites, or the like, including components made from a variety of different additional materials. Although any suitable or convenient additional material can be used in the manufacture of the wall module, it is

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 to be noted that a preferred additional material is insulation, typically in the form of insulation batts, slabs, panels, loose insulation or the like. Forms of the stud wall include coverings, linings, panels, sheets, boards, including both structural and decorative coverings, linings, panels, and similar. Typically the coverings or linings include dry wall panels, such as for example, plasterboard, plywood, magnesium board, a fire board or fire rated board, or similar.

Although the intermediate wall member or core wall or intermediate wall can be made from any suitable or convenient material, it is to be noted that preferred materials are light-weight materials. Additionally, the lightweight materials are fire resistant, noise attenuating or similar.

The lightweight materials include lightweight concrete materials, lightweight concrete substitute materials or the like, including mixtures of two or more different lightweight materials. Preferably, the lightweight material is autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC), more preferably manufactured by CSR Building Products Limited. In one form the AAC is in the form of panels, sheets, blocks, slabs, or the like, preferably elongate panels, typically of a length much greater than the width.

Preferably, the AAC panel is provided with cooperative engaging elements located along the longitudinal sides, transverse sides, or both. Forms of the cooperative engaging elements are complementary to one another, such as for example, in the form of a tongue and groove arrangement in which a projection in the form of the tongue is located along one longitudinal side and a groove in the form of a rebate, channel or the like is provided along an opposite longitudinal side. Forms of the AAC panel are interlocked together to form the intermediate

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 wall or core wall or intermediate wall member of the wall module.

It is to be noted that the AAC panel can have any desirable or suitable form, be of any suitable or convenient size, style, composition, shape or the like.

Although the connector can have any suitable or convenient form, shape, size, style, profile, cross section, length, fitting, fixture, or the like, a preferred form of the connector is an elongate metallic strip. Preferably, the connector is a modified top hat connector or top hat section. In one form the connector is a top hat section having a relatively thick BMT. Forms of the top hat section have a thickness in the range of from about 1 mm to about 50 mm, preferably in the range from about 2 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably in the range from about 10 mm to about 15 mm.

In one form the top plate is 90 x 45 h YSPAN+ H2 or is 2 of 70 x 35 MGP 10 for 70 mm FRAMES.

In one form the studs are 90 x 35 MGP10 or are 70 x 35 MGP10.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the wall modules of the present description and their assembly and use in forming building structures will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-section view of one form of a building structure having a dividing wall formed from one form of a wall module,

Figure 2 is an enlarged schematic view of circle A of

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic view of circle B of figure 1,

Figure 4 is an enlarged schematic view of circle C of figure 1,

Figure 4a is an enlarged view of the connector of Figure 4.

Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c are individual enlarged schematic views of circle 1 of figure 1 showing alternative arrangements of joining individual AAC panels to one another in abutting edge to edge relationship,

Figure 6 is an enlarged schematic view of circle 2 of figure 1,

Figure 7 is an enlarged schematic cross-section view of an alternative arrangement to the arrangement shown in circle A of figure 1 relating to the concrete foundation of the building structure,

Figure 8 is a schematic cross section view of one form of wall module having one form of a lifting sling for lifting the module,

Figure 9 is an enlarged more detailed view of section 1 of figure 8,

Figure 10 is a schematic elevation view of one form of wall module and one form of lifting sling showing the lifting sling locations with respect to the wall module.

Figure 11 is a schematic perspective view of one form of a wall module in isolation prior to installation for

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 forming a dividing wall structure.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

One form of the building product of the present description in the form of a prefabricated assembly of various different individual components will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. One form of the prefabricated assembly is a pre-fabricated wall module, typically a wall module for forming a dividing wall between two adjacent residential units of a low rise building structure, typically a two story house, townhouse, unit, attached house or similar built on foundations located directly on the ground or earth or other suitable support substance at ground level next to one another. However it is to be noted that the wall module is suitable for installation in any form of building structure, including domestic, residential, commercial, industrial, hospitality or similar building structures including temporary and permanent buildings.

A two story townhouse, having a wall structure, generally denoted as 10, is constructed on a suitable foundation located directly on an earthen or ground surface or substrate 12. A typical suitable foundation is a concrete slab 14 poured directly onto the earth underneath where wall structure 10 is to be constructed. An optional suitable support, such as for example, a metal base track 13 or a pair of opposed spaced apart substantially parallel metal tracks, suitable for receiving and/or retaining therein or thereupon wall structure 10, is located on the upper surface of slab 14 at a location corresponding to where wall structure 10 is to be constructed in order to facilitate location of wall structure 10 in the correct location on slab 14 and to enable wall structure 10 to be securely anchored in position, including on or in between the metal tracks.

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19

Wall structure 10 includes a wall module 16 formed from various components which include a first support wall, a second support wall, and an intermediate wall member arranged in spaced apart substantially parallel planar relationship to one another and interconnected to one another by suitable connectors. It is to be noted that the first support wall, the second support wall and the intermediate wall member are all arranged in opposed face to-face spaced apart substantially parallel relationship to one another so as to be aligned with each other to extend generally in the same plane facing one another so as to form a substantially vertical dividing wall when located in the correct location within the building structure after installation therein.

One form of the first support wall is a stud wall 18 comprising a multitude of elongate timber studs 20, an elongate bottom plate 22 and an elongate top plate 24. Studs 20 extend between bottom plate 22 and top plate 24 in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship to one another from one vertical side of module 16 to the other vertical side of module of module 16, as shown more particularly in figures 10 and 11.

Bottom plate 22 is a single length of suitable timber, such as for example, treated pine or other suitable softwood or hardwood, as shown more particularly in figure 11, or is a pair of lengths of suitable timber in superposed parallel abutting relationship one above the other, such as for example, to form a combination of a bottom plate and ribbon plate, as shown more particularly in cross-section in figures 1 and 2. Bottom plate 22, in whatever form, extends from one side of module 16 to the opposed side of module 16.

In one form the fixing of wall module 16 to slab 14

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 is using 90 x 45 hyspan + H2 Bottom plate fixing to slab to frame detail requirements or is 86 x 45 hyspan + H2 bottom plate of the wall module to the slab.

Top plate 24 is a single length of suitable timber, shown more particularly in figure 11, or is a pair of lengths of timber in superposed parallel abutting relationship one upon the other, such as for example, a combination of a top plate and a ribbon plate, as shown more particularly in cross-section in figures 1 and 2. Top plate 24 (and ribbon plate, if provided) extends from one side of module 16 to the opposite side of module 16.

Bottom plate 22 forms the lower edge or lower end or lower side of module 16, and top plate 24 (optionally with ribbon plate) forms the upper edge or upper end or upper side of module 16.

In one form the top plate is 90 x 45 hyspan + H2 top plate.

Stud wall 18 also includes a strengthener for increasing the strength, rigidity, robustness, or similar of wall module 16. In one form the strengthener is a noggin 28 or girt, typically an elongate noggin extending transversely from one vertical side edge of module 16 to the opposite vertical side edge of module 16. In one form there is a single noggin or girt spanning the entire length of wall module 16 between opposite vertical sides, whereas in other forms noggin 28 comprises two or more separate individual pieces or lengths interconnected together in end to end abutting or interconnected relationship collinearly to each other to span the entire length of wall module 16 between opposite vertical sides.

In one form noggin 28 or girt extends substantially parallel to top plate 24 and bottom plate 22, and is

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 located intermediate the upper edge of module 16 formed by top plate 24 and the lower edge of module 16 formed by bottom plate 22, typically located at or about the mid point of studs 20. However, it is to be noted that noggin 28 or girt can be located at any suitable or convenient location within stud wall 18, depending upon the requirements of module 16 when installed within the building structure. Additionally, there may be two or more noggins located at different locations within the wall module or there may be different noggins extending partially between studs at different levels at locations within the wall structure. Optionally, the noggins are staggered or offset from one another. In one form the noggin or girt is 70x22 or 70x35 and is installed at the factory, typically at the mid height of the wall module.

The first support wall includes optional additional other materials. In one form, the additional other material is a filler material for enhancing the properties or characteristics of module 16. In one form, the filler material is a layer of insulation, typically in the form of insulation batts 25, which are more typically located in the cavities, spaces, voids or similar formed between adjacent studs so as to fill the void between the adjacent studs, and are arranged to extend between the bottom plate and the top plate so as to provide sufficient insulation against the transmission of heat, sound, or the like through the wall module.

In one form, the additional material is a covering or lining attached to or mounted on the outwardly facing surface of studs 20 collectively to form one of the outer surfaces or facades of module 16 and hence wall 10, facing into the unit or room being divided by module 16. In one form the covering or lining includes drywall sheets of suitable composition and/or materials, such as, panels or sheets or boards of plasterboard 26 or equivalent material

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 in the form of boards, planks, sheets, panels, sheeting or the like. However, it is to be noted that the covering or lining can be made from any suitable or convenient material and be of any suitable or convenient form depending upon the design parameters of wall module 16 or of the building structure. In one form the covering or lining is decorative, whereas in other forms, the covering or lining is structural contributing to the strength of the wall module. In forms, the covering is both structural and decorative.

It is to be noted that stud wall 18 can include both of the internal layer of insulation 25 and the external covering or lining of plasterboard 26 as shown more particularly in the drawings.

In one form the second support wall is a stud wall 30 having a bottom plate 32 and a top plate 34 (and optionally a ribbon plate) between which extend multiple studs 36 in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship to one another to span the length of module 16 from one vertical side or edge or end to the opposite vertical side or edge or end.

In one form bottom plate 32 is a single length of suitable timber, including suitable softwood or hardwood timbers, such as for example, Pinus radiata, as shown more particularly in figure 11, or LVT or is a pair of lengths of suitable softwood or hardwood timber in superposed relationship one above the other to form a combination of bottom plate and ribbon plate, as shown more particularly in figures 1 and 2. In one form top plate 34 is a single length of suitable timber extending from one vertical side of module 16 to the other vertical side of module 16 as shown more particularly in figure 11, or is a pair of lengths of suitable timber arranged in superposed relationship one above the other in the form of a top

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 plate and ribbon plate combination, as shown more particularly in figures 1 and 2.

It is to be noted that in the form described and illustrated in the drawings apart from figure 11, top plate 34 forms the upper edge or upper end or upper side of module 16 and bottom plate 32 forms the lower edge or lower end or lower side of module 16. Further, it is to be noted that top plate 34 and bottom plate 32 are oriented so as to be parallel to one another but perpendicular to the lengthwise extending axes of studs 36 collectively, as shown more particularly in figures 10 and 11.

In one form the intermediate wall member or core wall extends outwardly from the frame formed by the vertical studs, the top plates and the bottom plates so as to extend upwardly in use to allow connection of 2 different wall modules in stacked relationship one upon the other when forming a building having more than a single story all level. Such a construction is illustrated in figure 11 where the AAC panels of the intermediate wall member extend upwardly above the level of the top plates.

Stud wall 30 also includes a strengthener for increasing the strength, rigidity, robustness, or similar of stud wall 30, and hence module 16. In one form the strengthener is a noggin 38 or girt, typically an elongate noggin or girt extending from one vertical side edge of module 16 to the opposite vertical side edge of module 16. In one form there is a single noggin spanning the entire length of wall module 16 whereas in other forms the noggin or girt comprises two or more separate individual pieces or lengths interconnected together in end to end relationship collinearly to span the entire length of wall module 16 between opposite vertical sides. The composition and placement of noggin 28 apply equally to noggin 38 of stud wall 30.

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19

In one form noggin 38 or girt extends substantially parallel to top plate 34 and bottom plate 32 and is located intermediate the upper edge of module 16 formed by top plate 34 and the lower edge of module 16 formed by bottom plate 32, typically located at or about the mid point of studs 30. However, it is to be noted that noggin 38 or girt can be located at any suitable or convenient location within stud wall 30 and wall module 16, depending upon the requirements of the walls of the building structure into which the module is to be installed. In forms, there are two or more noggins 38, and typically located in staggered relationship to one another at different locations within the wall module or are located offset to each other.

In one form noggins 28, 38 are made from lengths of suitable timber, including suitable softwood or hardwood, such as for example, Pinus radiata, LVT or similar. Forms of the noggins are treated or are provided with coatings to enhance the durability properties and characteristics of the noggins, and hence wall module 16.

The second support wall includes optional additional other materials. In one form, the additional other material is a filler material for enhancing the properties or characteristics of stud wall 30, and hence module 16. In one form, the filler material is a layer of insulation, typically in the form of insulation batts 40, which are more typically located in the cavities, spaces, voids or similar formed between adjacent studs 36 so as to fill the void between the adjacent studs, and are arranged to extend between bottom plate 32 and top plate 34 so as to provide sufficient insulation against the transmission of heat, sound, or the like through the wall module.

In one form, the additional material is a covering or

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 lining attached to or mounted on the outwardly facing surface of studs 36 collectively to form one of the outer surfaces of module 16 and hence wall 10, facing into the other of the units or rooms being divided by module 16. In one form the covering or lining includes drywall sheets of suitable composition and/or materials, such as, panels, boards, or sheets of plasterboard 42 or equivalent material in the form of boards, planks, sheets, panels, or the like. However, it is to be noted that the covering or lining can be made from any suitable or convenient material and be of any suitable or convenient form depending upon the design parameters of wall module 16 and/or of the building structure.

It is to be noted that stud wall 30 can include both of the internal layer of insulation 40 and the external covering or lining of plasterboard 42 as shown more particularly in the drawings.

The intermediate wall member of module 16 is, in one form, an intermediate wall or core wall 46 or other component, typically made of lightweight material, more typically in the form of a panel 50, and even more typically a panel of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) located intermediate but spaced apart from stud wall 18 on one side and stud wall 30 on the other side. Intermediate wall 46 or core wall is typically formed from multiple panels 50 located in interlocked abutting edge to edge relationship extending at least between the level of top plates 24, 34 and the level of bottom plates 26, 32, respectively, from one vertical side of module 16 to the opposite vertical side of module 16 so as to form a more or less continuous wall member between stud wall 18 and stud wall 30 as shown more particularly in figure 11. The panels are joined with a suitable adhesive, sealing agent, bonding agent or the like such as HEBEL ADHESIVE. It is to be noted that panels 50 can have any suitable or

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 convenient form or be of any suitable or convenient size, shape, style, profile or the like and being provided with any suitable interlocking engagement elements along the longitudinally extending sides, such as for example having different forms or profiles for cooperatively engaging with each other to interlock individual panels to one another. A selection of convenient suitable interlocking engagement elements is illustrated in figures 5a, 5b and 5c. Additionally, or alternatively, a layer of suitable adhesive, such as HEBEL ADHESIVE is located intermediate to adjacent panels to assist in joining the panels together to form the intermediate wall or core wall.

In one form the length of panels 50 of intermediate wall 46 is the same as the distance between the respective outer edges of the top plates and bottom plates of each of the support walls of module 16, being the upper edge of the top plate and the lower edge of the bottom plate, so as to extend as a single sheet or single panel between the top plate and bottom plate of each of stud walls 18, 30 in order to speed up manufacture of module 16 by obviating the need to cut or trim panels 50, as supplied to the assembly facility by the manufacturing factory, to size when forming module 16. In one form panel 50 has a nominal length of between about 2.7 m and 3.3 meter. However, panel 50 can have any suitable or convenient length which length corresponds to the height of wall module 16 when installed in the building structure. The height of wall module 16 is from the upper edge of the top plate or ribbon plate to the lower edge of the bottom plate or ribbon plate. In other embodiments the wall modules have panels 50 collectively extend above top plates 24, 36 to assist in forming separating walls of multilevel dwellings in stacked relationship one upon the other to allow connection of the upper wall module to the lower wall module by the extensions of panels 50 above the top plates, in the form of extension sections, to extend into

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 the upper wall module. Such a wall module is shown in isolation in figure 11 with the upper ends of panels 50 forming extension sections which extend above the top plates.

In one form panel 50 has a thickness in the range from about 35 mm to about 200 mm. Typically, panels 50 have a nominal thickness of 50 mm. However, panels having other thicknesses can be used, such as for example, panels having a thickness of nominally 75 mm or nominally 100 mm. Panels 50 can have any suitable or convenient thickness. In one form the panels forming the intermediate wall of module 16 all have the same thickness, whereas in other forms various panels have different thicknesses, for forming the intermediate wall.

Panels 50 are provided with suitable or convenient engaging elements or interlocking elements for interlockingly connecting or cooperatively engaging with adjacent panels for connecting adjacent panels to one another, particularly in vertical side by side abutting relationship spanning the entire length of wall module 16 from one vertical side or end to the opposite vertical side or end. In one form the engaging elements form a tongue and groove arrangement in which one longitudinal side edge of panel 50 is provided with a protruding or projecting tongue and the opposite longitudinal side edge is provided with a complementary shaped groove or channel or rebate to enable two adjacent panels in side by side abutting relationship with matching tongues and grooves facing each other to interlock to form the intermediate or core wall of module 16. Forms of the tongue and grooves are shown in figures 5b and 5c.

Although the connectors for interconnecting the first stud wall 18 and the intermediate panel wall 46, and the second stud wall 30 and the intermediate panel wall 46,

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 may be of any suitable or convenient form, one form of connector is a top hat section or top hat connector, preferably a modified top hat connector 54, typically an elongate modified top hat connector of a length corresponding to the length of wall module 16, or more particularly, the length of the top plate or bottom plate of the first stud wall. However, in forms, the connector may comprise two or more individual elongate connectors arranged in abutting end to end relationship ship collinearly to span the entire length of the wall module. In forms, the top hat connectors are located at spaced apart locations within module 16. In one form the top hat connector is a perforated top hat connector having a multitude or spaced apart apertures.

In one form top hat connector 54 has a raised central body portion 56 forming the top surface 58 of the connector, a first side wall section 60 extending from the raised central body portion 56 on one side of the connector, and a second side wall section 62 extending from the raised central body portion 56 on the other side of the connector. A first flange 64 extends outwardly from the first side wall section 60 and a second flange 66 extends outwardly from the second side wall section 62 to form the elongate top hat connector, all as shown more particularly in greater detail in Figure 4a which is an enlarged view of one of the connectors illustrated in figure 4.

It is to be noted that four substantially similar connectors, all preferably modified top hat connectors 54, are used to form wall module 16. Typically a pair of top hat connectors is located at or towards the top of wall module 16 and a further pair of top hat connectors is located at or towards the base or bottom of wall module 16. Further, it is to be noted that preferably there are no connectors located between the top edge and the bottom

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 edge of wall module 16 apart from the pair of upper connectors in the pair of lower connector is so that the support walls are attached to the intermediate wall or core wall along the upper edge and lower edge only.

The use of the four connectors will now be described in turn. It is to be noted that each of the connectors is substantially the same and their respective uses are substantially the same, apart from their different locations within wall module 16.

In use, a first lower connector 54a is located intermediate bottom plate 26 (or bottom ribbon plate), and the lower edges of panels 50 forming intermediate wall 46. Connector 54a is mounted on panels 50 between panel 50 and bottom plate 26 by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek-screw, being received through raised central body portion 56 to penetrate into the body of panel 50 to connect top hat connector 54a to panel 50, as shown more particularly in figure 2.

In use, a first upper connector 54b is located intermediate top plate 24 (or ribbon plate) and the upper edges of panels 50. Connector 54b is mounted on panels 50 between panel 50 and top plate 24 by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek-screw, being received through raised central body portion 56 of first upper connector 54b to penetrate into the body of panel 50 to connect top hat connector 54b to panel 50, as shown more particularly in figure 3.

In use, a second lower connector 54c is located intermediate bottom plate 34 and the lower edges of panels 50. Connector 54c is mounted on panels 50 between panel 50 and bottom plate 34 by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek-screw, being received through raised central body portion 56 to penetrate into the body of

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 panel 50 to connect top hat connector 54c to panel 50, as shown more particularly in figure 2.

In use, a second upper connector 54d is located intermediate top plate 32 (or ribbon plate) and the upper edges of panels 50. Connector 54d is mounted on panels 50 between panel 50 and top plate 32 by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek-screw, being received through raised central body portion 56 to penetrate into the body of panel 50 to connect top hat connector 54d to panel 50, as shown more particularly in figure 3.

Thus, in cross section wall module 16 comprises a first outer covering or lining in the form of plaster board 26, a first stud wall 18 of studs 20,together with insulation batts 25 located within cavities between adjacent studs 20, a set of connectors 54, being a pair of lower connector 54a, 54c and a pair of upper connectors 54b, 54d, on either side of the intermediate or core wall 46 of panels 50, a second stud wall 30 of studs 36, a second layer of insulation batts 40 and a second outer covering or lining in the form of plasterboard 42. Module 16 can be lifted from a suitable place at the building site, such as for example at a storage location within the building site or directly from a transport vehicle for transporting the wall module from the off-site manufacturing facility to the building site after being delivered or transported from the manufacturing facility where the module is manufactured, to a level above the existing building structure, and aligned vertically above the gap or space between adjacent residential units for lowering into the gap or space to complete the dividing wall between the adjacent residential units.

The building structure will now be described in more detail. A cornice 70a is provided to finish the join between the upper edge of plasterboard 26 of the first

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 outer wall of module 16 and a first flooring cassette 72a located on the first side of wall module 16. A cornice 70b is provided to finish the joint between the upper edge of plasterboard 42 of the second outer wall of module 16 and a second flooring cassette 72b located on the other side wall of module 16. It is to be noted that the flooring cassette can have any suitable or convenient form. In one form the flooring cassette is in the form of trusses 74 which are alternatively arranged with respect to each other over the entire area of the floor cassette, as shown more particularly in figure 1 and 3.

A second wall module in the form of upper wall module 116 is located upon the upper surface of floor cassettes 72a, 70b in alignment with lower wall module 16 to form the dividing wall of the upper story of building 10. It is to be noted that both upper wall module 116 and lower wall module 16 are substantially the same as each other or are different from each other. However, each wall module 16, 116 has a structure/construction as described with reference to module 16 above, being composed of a number of different components/layers in abutting or spaced apart relationship to one another.

In figure 7 is shown an alternative arrangement of the wall module. The wall module of figure 7, being wall module 216, has a first support wall and intermediate wall member or core wall as an integral assembly which assembly is similar to the first support wall and intermediate wall member of module 16. However, instead of the wall module having a second support wall on the other side of the wall module, there is a separate timber frame arrangement or assembly 220 securely anchored to concrete slab 214 to form the second support wall of module 216. The timber frame assembly 220 is provided with vertically extending studs located at spaced apart intervals forming cavities into which insulation batts are inserted before the

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 external covering or lining of plasterboard is fixed to the studs to form the second support wall of module 216 in situ.

The modified form of module 216 is required because of the different levels of concrete slab 214 as the concrete slab is provided with a peripheral rebate, in the form of a slab step down 215, extending around the periphery of the concrete slab forming the foundation of the building structure. Although in this form, the timber frame assembly 220 is installed on site separately to the remainder of wall module 216, in effect, the combination of wall module 216 and timber frame 220 forms a wall module similar to that described previously comprising an intermediate wall member or core wall located between a pair of support walls.

One form of hoisting or lifting a wall module 16 is illustrated in figures 8-10. In one form the upper end or edge of module 16 is provided with a suitable lifting fitting or fixing, typically holes, apertures, bores or openings 80 through the top plate or top plates 22, 32 of module 16 for receiving there through one form of lifting element, in the form of a lifting sling 82. An additional lifting hole in the form of a transverse bore 86 is provided within the body of stud 20 of stud wall 18 of wall module 16 to assist in locating lifting sling 82 and securely anchoring lifting sling 82 to all module 16. The longitudinal axis of additional lifting bore 86 is perpendicular to the axis of opening 80 by extending transversely through the width of wall module 16. Lifting sling 82 is threaded through holes 80 and bore 86 to securely fasten the ends of lifting sling 82 to the wall module to enable the wall module to be hoisted and lowered into the required position for forming the dividing wall. Other lifting apparatus and lifting means including fittings and fixtures other than opening 80 and bore 86

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 may be used in other forms of wall module 16.

In operation, after wall module 16 has been assembled at the manufacturing facility, such as a factory or similar, it is transported, usually by road vehicle, to the building site where it is to be installed within the building structure. After threading lifting sling 82 through opening 80 and bore 86 to securely anchor the lifting sling to the wall module, the lifting device is raised to hoist the wall module into position within the building structure to function as a dividing wall between 2 separate adjacent dwelling or living spaces.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19

Claims

1. A wall module of a building structure the wall module adapted to form at least part of a dividing wall intermediate a first living space and a second living space, the first living space and the second living space being separate from one another, the wall module comprising: a first support wall located at, on or towards a first side of the wall module, a second support wall located at, on or towards a second side of the wall module, an intermediate wall member located intermediate the first support wall and the second support wall, a first upper connector located intermediate the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, the first upper connector for connecting the first support wall to the intermediate wall member at a first location within the wall module at a first upper spacing apart thereof, a first lower connector located intermediate the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, the first lower connector for connecting the first support wall to the intermediate wall member at a first lower location within the wall module at substantially a first lower spacing apart thereof, the first upper spacing apart being substantially the same as the first lower spacing apart so as to space the first support wall apart from the intermediate wall member to a first predetermined amount, a second upper connector located intermediate the second support wall and the intermediate wall member, the second upper connector for connecting the second support wall to the intermediate wall member at a second upper location within the wall module at a second upper spacing apart thereof, a second lower connector located intermediate the

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 second support wall and the intermediate wall member, the second lower connector for connecting the second support wall to the intermediate wall member at a second lower location within the wall module at a second lower spacing apart thereof, the second upper spacing apart being substantially the same as the second lower spacing apart so as to space the second support wall apart from the intermediate wall member to a second predetermined amount wherein the first upper connector and the first lower connector connect the first support wall to the intermediate wall member in spaced apart relationship to one another in which a dimension of the first upper connector corresponds to the dimension of the first upper spacing apart of the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, and a dimension of the first lower connector corresponds to the dimension of the first lower spacing apart of the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, the dimension of the first upper spacing apart and the dimension of the first lower spacing apart being substantially the same to determine the spacing apart of the first support wall and the intermediate wall member, and, the second upper connector and the second lower connector connect the second support wall to the intermediate wall member in spaced apart relationship to one another in which a dimension of the second upper connector corresponds to the second upper spacing apart of the second support wall and the intermediate wall member, and, in which a dimension of the second lower connector corresponds to the dimension of the second lower spacing apart of the second support wall and the intermediate wall member, and, wherein

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 the first support wall is spaced apart from the intermediate wall member in accordance with the dimension of the first upper connector and first lower connector between the location of the first upper connector and the first lower connector to provide the first spacing apart, and, the second support wall is spaced apart from the intermediate wall member in accordance with the dimension of the second upper connector and second lower connector between the location of the second upper connector and the second lower connector to provide the second spacing apart.

2. A connector for connecting a support wall to an intermediate wall member in spaced apart relationship to one another to form a wall module, the connector comprising: a body portion having a top surface, a first flange portion, a second flange portion, the first flange portion being located on a first side of the body portion and the second flange portion being located on a second side of the body portion, a first side wall extending between the top surface and the first flange on the first side of the connector, a second side wall extending between the top surface and the second flange on the second side of the connector, the connector being located such that the body portion of the connector is connected to the intermediate wall member, the first flange and the second flange are each connected to the support wall, such that when the connector is in use in situ intermediate the support wall and the intermediate wall member the spacing apart of the support wall and the intermediate wall member corresponds to the height of the first side wall or the second side wall or to both the

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 first side wall and a second side wall, wherein a first connector is located at, towards or on one edge of the wall module and a second connector is located at, or towards an opposite edge of the wall module.

3. A wall module, comprising: a first stud wall, a second stud wall, an intermediate wall panel, a first side top plate, a first side bottom plate, a second side top plate, a second side bottom plate a first upper connector, a first lower connector, a second upper connector, a second lower connector, the intermediate wall panel being located intermediate the first stud wall and the second stud wall, the intermediate wall panel being connected to the first stud wall by the first upper connector and the first lower connector, the intermediate wall panel and connected to the second stud wall by the second upper connector and the second lower connector, a dimension of the first upper connector and the first lower connector determining the spacing apart of the intermediate wall panel from the first stud wall, and a dimension of the second upper connector and the second lower connector determining the spacing apart of the intermediate wall panel from the second stud wall, wherein the first upper connector is connected to the first top plate, the first lower connector is connected to the first bottom plate,

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 the second upper connector is connected to the second top plate, and the second lower connector is connected to the second bottom plate to maintain the spacing apart of the intermediate wall panel from the first stud wall on one side of the wall module and from the second stud wall on the other side of the wall module.

4. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the first support wall, the second support wall, or both the first support wall and the second support wall, are structural walls or self-supporting walls, and/or load bearing walls, including a wall comprising structural members, elements, lengths, sections or the like.

5. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the support wall includes frame members or frame elements including a stud wall comprising a multitude of frame members or frame elements in the form of studs arranged in substantially parallel relationship to one another at spaced apart intervals spanning the length of the stud wall from one vertical end or side to the opposite vertical end or side.

6. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the wall studs are wooden or timber studs, particularly studs derived from pine or other softwood, or metal studs, including steel studs, galvanised iron studs, treated iron studs, or the like wherein the stud is a substantially rectangular wooden stud or a substantially "C-shaped" metal stud or similar.

7. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the support wall comprises fittings, fixtures, accessories or similar, and one or more layers, laminates, composites, or the like, including insulation, typically in the form of insulation batts, slabs, panels, loose

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 insulation or the like.

8. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the stud wall includes coverings, linings, panels, sheets, boards, including both structural and decorative coverings, linings, panels, and similar.

9. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the wall module further comprises coverings or linings wherein the coverings or linings include dry wall panels, such as for example, plasterboard, plywood, magnesium board, a fire board or fire rated board, or similar.

10. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the intermediate wall member or core wall or intermediate wall includes light-weight materials wherein the lightweight materials include lightweight concrete materials, lightweight concrete substitute materials or the like, including mixtures of two or more different lightweight materials.

11. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the lightweight material is autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) in the form of panels, sheets, blocks, slabs, elongate panels, typically of a length much greater than the width.

12. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the AAC panel is provided with cooperative engaging elements located along the longitudinal sides, transverse sides, or both wherein the cooperative engaging elements are complementary to one another and are in the form of a tongue and groove arrangement in which a projection in the form of the tongue is located along one longitudinal side and a groove in the form of a rebate, channel or the like is provided along an opposite longitudinal side so that

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 the AAC panels are interlocked together to form the intermediate wall or core wall or intermediate wall member of the wall module.

13. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the connector is an elongate metallic strip in the form of a modified top hat connector or top hat section, including a perforated top hat section of a relatively thick BMT having a thickness in the range of from about 1 mm to about 50 mm, preferably in the range from about 2 mm to about 40 mm, more preferably in the range from about 10 mm to about 15 mm.

14. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the wall module includes a top plate or a top plate and ribbon plate combination wherein the top plate is 90 x 45 h YSPAN+ H2 or is 2 of 70 x 35 MGP 10 for 70 mm FRAMES.

15. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the studs are 90 x 35 MGP10 or are 70 x 35 MGP10.

16. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the wall module in cross section comprises a first outer covering or lining in the form of plaster board, a first stud wall of studs, together with insulation batts located within cavities between adjacent studs, a set of connectors, being a pair of lower connector and a pair of upper connectors, on either side of the intermediate or core wall of AAC panels, a second stud wall of studs, a second layer of insulation batts and a second outer covering or lining in the form of plasterboard.

17. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the length of the panels of the intermediate wall is the same as the distance between the respective outer edges of the top plates and bottom plates of each of the support walls of the wall module being the upper edge of

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 the top plate and the lower edge of the bottom plate, so as to extend as a single sheet or single panel between the top plate and bottom plate of each of stud walls in order to speed up manufacture of the wall module by obviating the need to cut or trim panels, as supplied to the assembly facility by the manufacturing factory, to size when forming the wall module.

18. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the panel has a nominal length of between about 2.7 m and 3.3 meter or a length corresponding to the height of the wall module when installed in the building structure extending from the upper edge of the top plate or ribbon plate to the lower edge of the bottom plate or ribbon plate.

19. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the first support wall, the second support wall and the intermediate wall member are all arranged in opposed face-to-face spaced apart substantially parallel relationship to one another so as to be aligned with each other to extend generally in the same plane facing one another so as to form a substantially vertical dividing wall when located in the correct location within the building structure after installation therein.

20. A wall module according to any preceding claim further comprising a bottom plate in which the bottom plate is a single length of suitable timber, such as for example, treated pine or other suitable softwood or hardwood or is a pair of lengths of suitable timber in superposed parallel abutting relationship one above the other, such as for example, to form a combination of a bottom plate and ribbon plate and in which the bottom plate extends from one side of the wall module to the opposed side of the wall module.

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19

21. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which mounting of the wall module to the slab uses 90 x 45 hyspan + H2 bottom plate fixing to slab to frame detail requirements or is 86 x 45 hyspan + H2 bottom plate of the wall module to the slab.

22. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the top plate is a single length of suitable timber or is a pair of lengths of timber in superposed parallel abutting relationship one upon the other or is a combination of a top plate and a ribbon plate wherein the top plate and/or the ribbon plate extend from one side of the wall module to the opposite side of the wall module.

23. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the wall module further comprises a strengthener for increasing the strength, rigidity, robustness, or similar of the wall module wherein the strengthener is a noggin or girt, typically an elongate noggin or girt extending transversely from one vertical side edge of the wall module to the opposite vertical side edge of the wall module.

24. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the noggin or girt is a single noggin or girt spanning the entire length of the wall module between opposite vertical sides, whereas in other forms the noggin or girt comprises two or more separate individual pieces or lengths interconnected together in end to end abutting or interconnected relationship collinearly to each other to span the entire length of the wall module between opposite vertical sides.

25. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the noggin or girt extends substantially parallel to the top plate and the bottom plate and is located intermediate the upper edge of the wall module formed by

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 the top plate and the lower edge of the wall module formed by the bottom plate, typically located at or about the mid-point of the

26. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the noggins or girt are staggered or offset from one another.

27. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the panel has a thickness in the range from about 35 mm to about 200 mm, typically, having a nominal thickness of about 50 mm, having a thickness of nominally about 75 mm or nominally about 100 mm.

28. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the panels are provided with suitable or convenient engaging elements or interlocking elements for interlockingly connecting or cooperatively engaging with adjacent panels for connecting adjacent panels to one another, particularly in vertical side by side abutting relationship spanning the entire length of the wall module from one vertical side or end to the opposite vertical side or end wherein one longitudinal side edge of the panel is provided with a protruding or projecting tongue and the opposite longitudinal side edge is provided with a complementary shaped groove or channel or rebate to enable two adjacent panels in side by side abutting relationship with matching tongues and grooves facing each other to interlock to form the intermediate or core wall of the wall module.

29. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the connector comprises four substantially similar connectors, all preferably modified top hat connectors, wherein the connectors include a pair of top hat connectors located at or towards the top of the wall module and a further pair of top hat connectors located at

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 or towards the base or bottom of the wall module.

30. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the connectors include a first lower connector located intermediate bottom plate or bottom ribbon plate, and the lower edges of the panel forming the lower edge of the wall module and the intermediate wall wherein the first lower connector is mounted on the panel between the panel and the bottom plate by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek-screw, being received through the raised central body portion of the connector to penetrate into the body of the panel to connect the top hat connector to the panel.

31. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the connectors include a first upper connector located intermediate the top plate or ribbon plate and the upper edges of the panel wherein the first upper connector is mounted on the panel between the panel and the top plate by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek screw, being received through the raised central body portion of the first upper connector to penetrate into the body of the panel to connect the first upper top hat connector to the panel.

32. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the connectors include a second lower connector located intermediate the bottom plate and the lower edges of the panel wherein the second lower connector is mounted on the panel between the panel and the bottom plate by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek-screw, being received through the raised central body portion of the second lower connector to penetrate into the body of the panel to connect the second lower connector to panel 50.

33. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the connectors include a second upper connector

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19 located intermediate the top plate or ribbon plate and the upper edges of the panel wherein the second upper connector is mounted on the panel between the panel and the top plate by a suitable fastener, such as for example, a Tek-screw, being received through the raised central body portion connector of the second upper connector to penetrate into the body of the panel to connect the second upper connector in the form of the top hat connector to the panel.

34. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the panels of the intermediate wall or core wall are bounded by the top plates along the upper surface of the wall module and the panels of the intermediate wall or core wall are bounded by the bottom plates along the lower surface of the wall module.

35. A wall module according to any preceding claim in which the panels of the intermediate wall or core wall extend outwardly from the top plates at the upper surface of the wall module or the panels of the intermediate wall or core wall extend outwardly from the bottom plates along the lower surface of the wall module to form an extension section wherein the extension section of the panels cooperatively engages with an adjacent wall module at a different level to the wall module having the extension section to assist in construction of the dividing wall.

36. A wall module of a building structure substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

37. A connector for connecting a support wall to an intermediate wall member in spaced apart relationship to one another to form a wall module, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19

38. An inter partes wall module substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11504050_1 (GHMatters) P108896.AU.1 5/07/19