GB2288417A

GB2288417A - Elongate structural elements

Info

Publication number: GB2288417A
Application number: GB9507611A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Hayward
Original assignee: MIDLAND IND HOLDINGS Ltd
Current assignee: MIDLAND IND HOLDINGS Ltd
Priority date: 1994-04-13
Filing date: 1995-04-12
Publication date: 1995-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2015-04-12
Also published as: GB2288417B; GB9407295D0; GB9507611D0

Abstract

An elongate structural element has a generally planar base (4) connected at opposite edge regions thereof to respective ones of a pair of lateral arms (2, 3) by two-part connecting portions, each of which includes a first part extending generally perpendicularly from the base, and a second part angled outwardly relative to the first part and connected to the adjacent arm. The element may have arms (2, 3) of unequal lengths, permitting two elements to be nested one within the other to form a composite box-like element. Elements (1) may be interconnected and/or connected to composite elements to form structures; using, e.g. brackets (55). <IMAGE>

Description

STRUCTURAL ELEMENT AND STRUCTURE INCORPORATING SUCH ELEMENT This invention relates to a structural element for use in building construction and to building structure incorporating one or more such elements.

According to one aspect of the invention, a structural element comprises a generally planar base connected at opposite edge regions thereof to respective ones of a pair of lateral arms by two-part connecting portions, each of which includes a first part extending generally perpendicularly from the base, and a second part angled outwardly relative to the first part and connected to the adjacent arm.

Typically, the second part of each connecting portion extends generally parallel to the plane of the base, being spaced from the latter.

In one convenient arrangement, the structural element has a generally channel-shaped transverse section with the arms forming sides of the channel, a portion of the base being offset in a direction away from the channel interior and presenting a generally planar outer surface.

Preferably, the outermost edge portions of the channel sides extend inwardly over the channel base, conveniently by a distance less than the lengths of the respective second parts of the connecting portions.

Advantageously, the respective channel sides are of different lengths such that a pair of elements may be nested together in inverted relationship with the shorter side of each element engaged within the longer side of the other to form a closed box-like structure.

The invention accordingly embraces a composite element formed by nesting together two structural elements in the aforesaid manner.

In an alternative arrangement, the arms extend generally perpendicular to and in opposite directions from the base, each arm being typically of generally channel-shaped transverse cross-section with the bases of the channels conveniently facing in opposite directions.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an end view of one form of the structural element of the invention; Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing an alternative form of the structural element of the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a composite element formed from two structural elements of Figure 2; Figure 4 is an end view of an alternative form of the structural element of the invention; Figure 5 illustrates part of a structure formed using elements from Figures 2 and 4 respectively; Figure 6 is an exploded view of part of a structure formed using a composite element of Figure 3, together with a structural element of Figure 2; Figure 7 is an exploded view illustrating further possibilities for interconnecting structural elements of the invention into a larger structure;; Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating further possibilities for interconnecting structural elements of the invention into a larger structure, and Figure 9 illustrates the use of structural elements of the invention in various ways in the construction of a modular building.

Figure 1 illustrates the structural element 1 of the invention in its simplest form, being in the form of a channel having opposed sides 2, 3 and a planar base portion 4 connected to respective ends of the walls 2, 3 by angled two-part connecting portions 5, 6. Each connecting portion has a first part 5A, 6A extending from the adjacent side 2, 3 parallel to but spaced from the base and a second part 5B, 6B perpendicular to the first part and connecting it to the base portion 4, resulting in the base portion 4 projecting outwardly beyond the adjacent edges of the sides 2, 3 to form the outermost wall of the base. It will be understood that the respective lengths A, B of the channel sides 2, 3 may be equal, as illustrated, or of unequal lengths.Moreover, in all embodiments of the structural element of the invention, the second part of at least some of the connecting portions may be arranged at an angle of more than 90" relative to the adjacent first part.

The modified version of the structural element illustrated in Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, but has free end portions 2A, 3A of the arms 2 and 3 bent inwardly so as to lie parallel with the base portion 4, which forms the outermost wall of the base, as before. Again, the arms 2, 3 may be of equal length, so that the portions 2A, 3A lie in the same plane.

Alternatively, they may be of unequal lengths, as illustrated, so that the portions 2A, 3A are offset in a direction away from the base 4 of the channel. This enables similar elements to be nested to form a composite element, as will be described hereafter.

Figure 3 illustrates one form of composite element produced by nesting a pair of structural elements of the kind shown in Figure 2. Because of the disparity in lengths of the respective channel sides 2, 3 of each element, it is possible to place the shorter channel side 2 of each element within the longer channel side 3 of the other, enabling the elements to be interengaged in the manner illustrated to form a generally tubular member having planar base portions 4 forming the outermost walls of two opposed sides thereof. This tubular member may advantageously be used in various ways, as will be described hereinafter. It is, of course, possible to secure the elements in nested relationship using any convenient form of fasteners, such as rivets or bolts, or by welding, so that the component structural elements are securely locked together.

Figure 4 shows an alternative form of the structural element 10 of the invention in which the base 40 is connected to a pair of oppositely extending arms 20, 30 by connecting portions 50, 60 arranged so that the arms are again displaced from the plane of the base. Each arm 20, 30 generally forms together with the adjacent part of the connecting portion 50, 60 a channel and the open ends of the respective channels face in opposite directions.

Figure 5 illustrates part of a structure formed using the structural element 10 of Figure 4 in conjunction with a pair of structural elements 1 generally similar to that illustrated in Figure 2. The element 10 is arranged to act as a purlin with its base 40 arranged vertically and its two arms 20, 30 extending horizontally. The elements 1 are also arranged with their bases vertical and arms horizontal, the larger right hand element 1 forming a horizontal support beam of the structure and the arm 20 of the purl in is dimensioned to fit closely over the arm 2 of the horizontal beam. The purlin is thereby effectively suspended on the beam 1 with its base 40 lying closely against the base 4 of the horizontal beam to provide stability.The lower arm 30 of the purl in receives the horizontally extending smaller structural element 1 which is thereby supported by the purl in in relation to the larger beam 1. Screws, rivets or other suitable securing means may be used to connect the beams to the purl in, or these items may be left unconnected, as required.

Figure 6 illustrates part of the main steelwork of a structure in which a composite element 50 of Figure 3 is rigidly connected to one or more elements 1 of the kind shown in Figure 2. The individual elements of the composite element 50 may be rigidly secured together using suitable fixing means or by welding, for example, and planar cleats 51 are welded respectively to one of the bases 4 of the composite element and to the outer surface of the channel 3 thereof, both cleats extending in planes perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the element 50. The width of each cleat 51 has a dimension such that the cleat fits closely within the offset base 4 of the horizontal element 1 so that the cleat is able to impart structural stiffness and rigidity to the assembly, particularly when rigidly connected to the element 1 by suitable fixing means passing through holes 51A.The other cleat 51 may be similarly connected to a further structural element 1, or to an element of a different nature, as required. It will be understood that the composite element 50 may be replaced by any suitable alternative solid or hollow element of suitable cross-section, such as square or rectangular to the sides of which suitable cleats or brackets may be attached.

Figure 7 illustrates an alternative form of structure which may constitute the secondary steelwork in a building, for example. It can be seen that a plurality of elements 1A, used for example as floor beams, may be secured to main horizontal beams, one of which is illustrated at 1 B.

Interconnections between the floor beams and main beams are effected by way of right angled brackets 55, of which the arms 55A, 55B are dimensioned to fit closely within the channel bases 4 of the beams to impart the necessary rigidity to the structure. The brackets would normally be secured to the beams by way of fasteners, such as bolts, or alternatively welded.

A pair of beams 1, of the kind illustrated in Figure 2 for example, may be used to great advantage by securing them back to back at their bases 4, as illustrated in Figure 8. It will be seen that, by doing this, a channel 4A is formed at both sides of the beam assembly thus created and these channels may be used to key such elements as wall partitions 4B therein.

Brackets 55 may once again be used to connect together further beams 1 at right angles to the back to back beam assembly, the arms being dimensioned to fit within the channel bases 4, as described previously, for optimum rigidity of the structure.

Finally, Figure 9 illustrates part of one form of a modular building constructed using various forms of the structural elements of the invention.

A horizonal upper beam 100 of a ground floor building module support horizontal steelwork 101 of a first floor module, the illustrated steelwork being in the form of structural elements similar to that described in Figure 2 of the drawings. Similar beams 102 at right angles to the beam 101 are cleated to the latter by brackets 103, 104 in the manner described previously. Similarly, vertical steelwork 105 is cleated to the beams 101, further beams 102 being cleated to the upper regions of the vertical steelwork in order to support the steelwork 106 of a roof module. Again, great structural rigidity is provided by the insertion of cleats within the channel bases of the structural elements.

The structural elements of the invention may very conveniently be cold rolled from light gauge material, such as stainless steel which may advantageously be rigidised in order to improve the life and strength of the structure, particularly when the structural elements are incorporated in permanent buildings. The inherent strength of stainless steel, particularly when rigidised, enables the structural elements to be formed from significantly lighter gauge material than conventional elements with consequent cost-saving and the long life quality of stainless steel enables buildings to be constructed with a life expectation exceeding 25 years.

The use of the cleats and brackets in relation to the offset bases of the elements not only provides excellent rigidity and integrity of the structure, but also facilitates achieving the necessary squareness between the various horizontal and vertical beams.

Claims

1. A structural element comprising a generally planar base connected at opposite edge regions thereof to respective ones of a pair of lateral arms by two-part connecting portions, each of which includes a first part extending generally perpendicularly from the base, and a second part angled outwardly relative to the first part and connected to the adjacent arm.

2. A structural element according to Claim 1, wherein the second part of each connecting portion extends generally parallel to the plane of the base, being spaced from the latter.

3. A structural element according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, having a generally channel-shaped transverse cross-section with the arms forming sides of the channel, a portion of the base being offset in a direction away from the channel interior and presenting a generally planar outer surface.

4. A structural element according to Claim 3, wherein the outermost edge portions of the channel sides extend inwardly over the channel base.

5. A structural element according to Claim 2, having a generally channel-shaped transverse cross-section with the arms forming the sides of the channel, and wherein the outermost edge portions of the channel sides extend inwardly over the channel base by a distance less than the lengths of the respective second parts of the connecting portions.

6. A structural element according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, wherein the respective channel sides are of different lengths such that a pair of elements may be nested together in inverted relationship with the shorter side of each element engaged within the longer side of the other to form a closed box-like structure.

7. A structural element according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the arms extend generally perpendicular to and in opposite directions from the base.

8. A structural element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each arm, together with an adjacent second part of a connecting portion, forms a generally channel-shaped element, of which the respective open ends face in opposite directions.

9. A composite structural element formed by nesting together two elements according to Claim 4.

10. A structure composed of one or more structural elements according to any one of Claims 1 to 9.

11. A structure according to Claim 10, in which the structural elements are interconnected by angled two-arm cleats dimensioned so that the arms respectively fit closely within channels formed in the elements by their bases and adjacent opposed second parts of connecting portions at either side thereof.

12. A structure according to Claim 10, incorporating at least one composite element according to Claim 9.

13. A structure according to Claim 12, wherein a structural element is connected to a composite element by a cleat dimensioned to fit closely within a channel formed in the structural element by its base and adjacent opposed second parts of the connecting portions at either side thereof, the cleat being secured also to the composite element.

14. A structure according to Claim 10, wherein a pair of structural elements of Claim 3 are interconnected in base to base relationship such as to form at least one groove between opposed respective second parts of connecting portions, said groove receiving an edge of panelling or cladding.

15. A structure according to Claim 14, wherein a structural element according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 is arranged perpendicularly to the pair of elements with its end bridging between the arms of one element of the pair, the perpendicular element being held in place by a cleat of which one portion fits closely within a channel formed in the base of that element and another portion is secured to the bridged element.

16. A structural element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, Figure 2 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A composite element substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

18. A structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5, Figure 6, Figure 7, Figure 8, or Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.