WO2010148460A1

WO2010148460A1 - Building construction

Info

Publication number: WO2010148460A1
Application number: PCT/AU2010/000807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Chalmers Alexander; Hugh Alexander Mckay
Original assignee: TIMELOC Pty Ltd
Current assignee: TIMELOC Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-26
Filing date: 2010-06-28
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-26
Also published as: AU2010265800A1; AU2016247061A1

Abstract

A wall construction for a building structure (10). The building (10) comprises a base (11), walls (13) and a roof structure (15). The walls (13) are assembled from a plurality of panels (41) connected together at joints (42). The panels (41) are of sandwich structured composite construction comprising a core (43) and skins (45) on opposed sides of the core. Each panel (41) is rectangular and comprises a top edge (47), a bottom edge (48) and two opposed side edges (49). Each side edge (49) incorporates a side channel (53) which extends between the top and bottom edges (47, 48). Each channel (53) is formed entirely within the core (43). The panels (41) disposed in edge-to-edge relation and interconnected at abutting side edges (49) by connectors (65). The connectors (65) comprise the two side channels (53) at the abutting edges, and an elongate connector element (71) accommodated in the two cooperating channels (53) and extending between the opposed ends of the channels. The connector element (71) is adhesively bonded in the channels (53) to secure the two abutting panels (41) together. The connector element (71) may be of hollow construction to receive a tie rod (81).

Description

Building Construction

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a construction system using sandwich structured composite panels each comprising a central core and two skins on opposed sides of the central core. The invention also relates to a wall construction for buildings, as well as a building construction, using such panels. Still further, the invention relates to a method of constructing a building.

Background Art

The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

Construction of buildings using traditional techniques, such as brick construction or framed construction, can be particularly labour intensive and time consuming, thereby contributing significantly to construction costs.

Consequently, other construction techniques have been proposed. One such technique involves construction of buildings with walls made from sandwich structured composite panels, typically foam core panels.

With such panels there is a need for a system by which the panels can be connected together in a convenient manner while also providing a building constructed using such panels with the necessary structural integrity.

It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. Disclosure of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a construction system comprising two sandwich structured composite panels each comprising a central core and two skins on opposed sides of the central core, and a connector for connecting two abutting edges of the panels together, the connector comprising a channel in each abutting edge extending between opposed ends of the respective edge, and an elongate element accommodated in the two channels and extending between the opposed ends of the two channels, the elongate element having an longitudinal passage extending therealong opening onto the opposed ends of the two channels.

Preferably, each channel comprises a central web and two channel sides upstanding from the web, the central web being innermost and the two channel sides extending outwardly from the central web to the edge of the respective panel.

Preferably, the two channel sides are disposed generally normal to the central web.₍

Preferably, the channel of each panel is formed in the core of the panel.

Preferably, the elongate element comprises an element of rectangular hollow section.

With this arrangement, the channels of the two panels cooperate when the edges are in abutting relationship to define a longitudinal slot in which the elongate element is received for locking the two abutting panels together. In this way, the slot provides a keyway and the elongate element provides a key received in the keyway.

Because the two channels extend between opposed ends of the abutting edges of the two panels, and the longitudinal passage of the elongate element opens onto the opposed ends of the two channels, the longitudinal passage is open at the ends thereof when the panels are connected together. In this way, a longitudinal member (such as a tie rod) can be received in the longitudinal passage.

Preferably, the elongate element is bonded in position in the channels to secure the two panels together. The elongate element may be bonded in position in the channels in any appropriate way, such as by adhesive bonding.

Each sandwich structured composite panel may comprise a foam core, such as a polystyrene core. Other forms of core are, of course, possible.

The skins may be of any suitable type including sheet metal or reinforced laminate. A particularly suitable type of skin comprises a magnesium oxide board.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wall construction comprising two sandwich structured composite wall panels each comprising a central core and two skins on opposed sides of the central core, and a connector for connecting two abutting side edges of the wall panels together, the connector comprising a side channel in each abutting side edge extending between top and bottom edges of the respective wall panel, and an elongate element accommodated in the two channels and extending between the top and bottom edges of the wall panels, the elongate element having an longitudinal passage extending therealong opening onto the top and bottom edges of the wall panels.

Preferably, the side channel in each abutting edge is formed in the core of the respective panel.

Preferably, each wall panel further comprises a bottom channel at the bottom edge thereof, each bottom channel being defined by the core of the panel and the skins extending beyond the core. With such an arrangement, the adjacent edge face of the core defines the web of the bottom channel and the sections of the skins extending beyond the core define the channel sides. Preferably, the wall construction further comprises a bottom plate, and each wall panel further comprises a bottom channel in each wall panel, the bottom channel being adapted to locate on the bottom plate.

Preferably, the wall construction further comprises a top plate configured to receive the top edge of each wall panel.

The wall construction may include a tie rod extending through the elongate element between the top and bottom plates.

Preferably, the wall construction comprises a plurality of the wall panels disposed in edge-to-edge relation between the top and bottom plates, with adjacent panels interconnected by the connectors, and at least some of the elongated elements having the tie rods therein extending between the top and bottom plates.

The bottom plate may comprise a bottom longitudinal member having an upper web configured to define two flank sections and a central section forming a longitudinal recess, the longitudinal recess being of a size to receive the bottom end of each elongate element between adjacent wall panels.

The top plate may comprise a top longitudinal member having an upper web configured to define two flank sections and a central section forming a longitudinal recess, the longitudinal recess defining a downwardly facing channel configured to receive the top end of each elongate element between adjacent wall panels.

Each tie rod may be formed in sections, comprising a lower rod section and a further rod section, the lower rod section being anchored to a base on which the wall construction is erected, the lower rod section having an upper end extending through a hole in the upper web of the bottom plate and being threadingly engaged by a nut bearing on the upper web to secure the bottom plate to the base, the nut also being threadingly engaged with the further rod section to secure the two rod sections together. Typically, the base on which the wall construction is erected comprises a concrete slab and the lower rod section has a lower end embedded in the concrete slab.

The tie rod may comprise an upper rod section having an upper end extending through a hole in the upper web of the top plate and being threadingly engaged by a nut bearing on the upper web to secure the top plate to the wall panels.

The upper rod section may be constituted by the further rod section to which the bottom rod section is connected, or alternatively it may be separate from the further rod section.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a building construction having a wall construction according to the second aspect of the invention.

The building construction may further comprise a ceiling having a ceiling panel resting on one of the flanks of the top plate.

The ceiling panel may be fixed to ceiling battens attached to the underside of a roof truss resting on the central section of the upper web of the top plate.

The roof truss may be secured to the top plate using the nut engaged with the upper rod section of the tie rod.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a building comprising constructing a wall according to the second aspect of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of one specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of a building construction according to the embodiment;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but at an earlier stage of the construction process;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but at an earlier stage of the construction process;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 but at an earlier stage of the construction process;

Figure 5 is a schematic side view illustrating an external wall and an internal wall, as well as a concrete slab on which the walls are supported and a roof structure supported by the walls;

Figure 6 is a schematic plan view of the wall configuration of part of the building construction;

Figure 7 is a schematic fragmentary plan view illustrating the connection between two wall panels of a wall of the building construction;

Figure 8 is a schematic fragmentary plan view illustrating the connection between two wall panels at an external corner of the building construction

Figure 9 is a schematic fragmentary plan view illustrating the connection between two wall panels at the junction between an internal wall and an external wall of the building construction;

Figure 10 is a schematic fragmentary plan view illustrating the arrangement a wall panel at the terminal end of a free-standing wall within the building construction; Figure 11 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view illustrating the roof structure supported on the wall construction;

Figure 12 is a schematic fragmentary perspective view of the wall construction, with one wall panel removed to reveal the connection between abutting wall panels;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the building construction, depicitng in particular an external corner thereof;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary perspective view of the building construction, with a part cut-away to depict in further detail the external corner shown in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary perspective view of the building construction, with a part removed to depict in further detail the external corner shown in Figure 13;

Figure V6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the building construction, with a further part removed to depict in still further detail the external corner shown in Figure 13;

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of the upper end of an external wall of the building construction;

Figure 18 is a view similar to Figure 17 but with additional features of the building construction shown;

Figure 19 is an end view of one type of top wall plate used in the building construction;

Figure 20 is an end view of another type of top wall plate used in the building construction;

Figure 21 is an end view of a bottom wall plate used in the building construction; Figure 22 is an end view of another type of plate member used in the building construction;

Figure 23 is an end view of yet another type of plate member used in the building construction;

Figure 24 is a plan view of two sections of the top wall plate sections along the length of a wall interconnected by a straight connector;

Figure 25 is an end view of the straight connector installed to connect two top wall plate sections together;

Figure 26 is a side view of the straight connector;

Figure 27 is a plan view of the straight connector;

Figure 28 is a plan view of a corner connector interconnecting sections of the top wall plate sections at a corner of the building construction;

Figure 29 is a end view of the corner connector installed to connect the two top wall plate ^"sections together at the corner;

Figure 30 is a schematic plan view depicting an intermediate junction element configured for wall panels arranged to form a corner angled at other than a right angle;

Figure 31 is a schematic plan view depicting an intermediate junction element configured for a junction between three wall panels; and

Figures 32 to 35 are schematic sectional views depicting a wall panel installed in between top and bottom wall plates of various configurations. Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention

The embodiment shown in the drawings is directed to a building construction 10 devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, as a dwelling.

The building construction 10 according to the embodiment comprises a base 11 , walls 13 and a roof structure 15. In the arrangement illustrated, the base 11 comprises a concrete slab 17.

The walls 13 comprise external walls 21 and internal walls 23 configured to define rooms 25.

In the arrangement illustrated, the concrete slab 17 defines a floor surface on which a floor covering 18 is installed. Skirting 26 is provided between the walls 13 and the floor covering 18.

The roof structure 15 includes roof trusses 27 having rafters 29 to which battens 31 are attached. Sheeting 33 is fixed to the underside of the battens 31 to provide ceilings 35 for the rooms 25. Cornices 36 are installed to conceal the junction between the walls 13 and the sheeting 3.

The walls 13 are assembled from a plurality of panels 41 connected together at joints 42. The panels 41 comprise sandwich structured composite panels 41 having a core 43 and skins 45 on opposed sides of the core. In this embodiment the core 43 comprises polystyrene and the skins 45 comprise magnesium oxide board (known as a MgO board) bonded to the core.

Each panel 41 is rectangular and comprises a top edge 47, a bottom edge 48 and two opposed side edges 49.

The bottom edge 48 incorporates a bottom channel 51 which extends between the side edges 49. Each side edge 49 incorporates a side channel 53 which extends between the top and bottom edges 47, 48. The channel 51 is formed by removal of the bottom section of the core 43 to expose the bottom section of the two skins 45. In this way, the channel 51 is defined by the underside of the core 43 and the exposed bottom sections of the two skins 45. With this arrangement, the channel 51 extends entirely between the two skins 45.

Each side channel 53 is within the core 43, and comprises an inner web 55 and two side walls 57. Each channel 53 is formed entirely within the core 43 by removal of a section thereof, with the inner web 55 and two side walls 57 being defined by surfaces of the core.

The channels 51 , 53 may be incorporated in the panels 41 during the manufacturing process of the panels, or the panels may be modified after manufacture to incorporate the channels. In the latter case, the modification to incorporate the channels 51 , 53 may be made on-site during the building construction process.

The panels 41 are installed between top wall plates 61 and bottom wall plates 63. The top walls plates 61 for external walls 21 are different from the top wall plates for internal walls 23, as will be explained later.

Panels 41 disposed in edge-to-edge relation along the extent of the walls 13 are interconnected by connectors 65. Where there is an angle between adjacent panels 41 , such as at a corner, an intermediate junction element 67 is used to connect adjacent edges of such panels. Where there is an internal corner provided by the edge of one panel abutting the side of another panel, a corner connector 69 is used to interconnect the panels.

The connectors 65 for connecting two abutting side edges 49 of the panels 41 comprise the two side channels 53 at the abutting edges and an elongate connector element 71 accommodated in the two channels and extending between the opposed ends of the channels. In the arrangement illustrated, the connector element 71 is of tubular construction and also of rectangular cross-section. The connector element 71 has a central longitudinal passage 73 therein which opens onto the ends of the tubular connector element.

With this arrangement, the two side channels 53 cooperate to define a longitudinal slot 75 between the abutting panels 41 in which the connector element 71 is received for locking the two abutting panels together. In this way, the slot 75 provides a keyway and the connector element 71 provides a key received in the keyway. The connector element 71 is adhesively bonded in the channels 53 to secure the two abutting panels together. The side edges of the cores 43 of the two abutting panels 41 are in abutment such that the connector element 71 is encased entirely within the abutting panels 41.

A seal 44 is fitted between the abutting wall panels 41 on the exposed side thereof to prevent ingress of moisture and to provide a neat finish. A seal (also not shown) may also be provided on the interior side of the abutting wall panels 41.

At certain locations, it is necessary to anchor the roof structure 15 to the base 11 , and tie rods 81 extending between the base and the roof structure are provided for this purpose. The tubular construction of the connector elements 71 facilitates installation of the tie rods 81. More particularly, the tie rods extend through the tubular connector elements 71 at locations where they are required.

In the arrangement illustrated, each tie rod 81 is formed in two sections, comprising a lower rod section 83 and an upper rod section 85. The two rod sections 83, 85 are connected together by a nut 87 threadingly engaging the adjacent ends of the two rod sections, as best seen in Figure 5. The lower rod section 83 has a lower end 84 embedded in the concrete slab 17 and the upper rod section 85 has an upper end 86 threadingly engaged by a nut 88 forming part of a connection 89 to the roof structure 15.

The bottom wall plate 63, which is best seen in Figure 21 , comprises a bottom longitudinal member 91 onto which the walls panels 41 are located such that the bottom longitudinal member 91 is received in the bottom channels 51 of the wall panels, as best seen in Figure 5. The bottom longitudinal member 91 is of channel configuration, having an upper web 93 and two downwardly extending side walls 94 terminating in out-turned lips 96 which rest on the concrete slab 17. The upper web 93 is configured to define two flank sections 95 and a central section 97 between the two flank sections. The cores 43 of the wall panels 41 rest on the flank sections 95. The central section 97 forms a longitudinal recess 99 which is a size and shape to receive the bottom end of the connector elements 71 between adjacent wall panels 41 , also as best seen in Figure 5. The central section 97 of the upper web 93 has holes 101 spaced at intervals. The holes 101 provide a series of available holes through respective ones of which the lower rod sections 83 can extend according to the particular locations of the tie rods 81. The nut 87 connecting the lower rod section 83 of each tie rod 81 to the upper rod section 85 bears on the web 93 to secure the bottom wall plate 63 to the concrete slab 17.

The bottom wall plate 63 for internal walls 23 is anchored to the concrete slab by anchors 82 (as shown in Figure 5) which are essentially the same as the lower rod sections 83 of the tie rods 81. Nuts 87 engage the upper sections of the anchors 82 for securing the bottom wall plate in position.

As shown, each panel 41 locates on the bottom longitudinal member 91 , with the underside of the core 45 resting the flank sections 95 and the bottom sections of the skins 45 locating alongside the side walls 94.

Flashing 105 is provided between the wall panels 41 and the concrete slab 17, as shown in Figure 5.

Several other configurations for the bottom wall plate 63 can be seen in Figures 32 to 35. As illustrated, an insert 54 may be provided in the bottom channel 51. Where the insert 54 is used, the bottom wall plate 63 may be configured to define a recess 64 into which the bottom edge 48 of the wall panel 41 is received, as shown on Figure 34.

The wall top plate 61 for external walls 21 , which is best seen in Figure 19, comprises a top longitudinal member 111 of channel configuration having an upper web 113 and two downwardly extending side walls 114. The two downwardly extending side walls 114 define a recess 115 into which the top edges 47 of the wall panels 41 are snugly received. The upper web 113 is configured to define two flank sections 116 and a central section 117 between the two flank sections. The central section 117 forms a longitudinal recess 119 defining a downwardly facing channel 121 configured to receive the top end of the connector elements 71 between adjacent wall panels 41. The central section 117 of the upper web 113 has holes 123 spaced at intervals therealong. The holes 123 provide a series of available holes through respective ones of which the upper rod sections 85 can extend according to the particular locations of the tie rods 81. The nut 88 engaging the upper end 86 of the upper rod section 85 bears on the upper web 113 to secure the top wall plate 61 to wall panels 41.

The inner flank section 116 of the top wall plate 61 provides a ledge 123 on which the edge portion of the sheeting 33 is supported, as best seen in Figures 11 and 18.

Typically, the top wall plate 61 would be assembled from a plurality of wall plate sections 131. The wall plate sections 131 would typically be provided in standard lengths which are cut to length according to the requirements of the building under construction. In certain, if not all, applications it is desirable to interconnect the wall plate sections 131.

Several other configurations for the top wall plate 61 can be seen in Figures 32 to 35. As depicted in Figures 32 to 35 the top edge 47 of the wall panel 41 may incorporate a top channel 52 which extends between the side edges 49. An insert 54 may be provided in the channel 52.

A straight connector 133 is provided for interconnecting wall plate sections 131 extending along the length of a wall. The straight connector 133, which is shown in Figures 24 to 27, comprise a base portion 135 and two threaded studs 137 upstanding from the base portion. The arrangement is such that the base portion 135 can bridge the two wall plate sections 131 being connected together, locating in the downwardly facing channels 121 on the underside of the web 93 of the top plate sections 131. Further, one threaded stud 137 locates in an available one of the holes 123 in each of the wall plate sections 131. The connection is completed by nuts 139 which engage the threaded studs 137 to retain the assembly together.

Similarly, a corner connector 141 , which is shown in Figures 28 and 29, is provided for interconnecting adjacent wall plate sections 131 at corners of the building construction 10. The corner connector 141 is similar to the straight connector 133 and so similar reference numerals are used to corresponding parts.

The difference is that the base portion 133 of the corner connector 141 is of angular configuration to correspond to the shape of the corner, rather than being straight.

In the arrangement shown, the corner connector 141 incorporates the nut 88 for engagement with the upper rod section 86 of the tie rod 81 , as previously described.

The top wall plate 61 for internal walls 23, which is best seen in Figure 20, comprises a channel 143 having a web 144 and two side walls 145. The web 144 is fastened to one of the battens 31 by a fastener 147 and the top edges 47 of the wall panels 49 are snugly received in a recess 149 defined between the two side walls 145, as best seen in Figure 5. As mentioned earlier, an intermediate junction element 67 is used to connect adjacent edges of panels 41 where there is an angle between the panels, such as at a corner. Such an arrangement, which is shown in Figures 8, 14, 15 and 16, incorporates connectors 65 as previously described.

In this embodiment, the intermediate junction element 67 comprises a corner post 151 presenting two adjacent faces 153, 155 for abutting contact with the corner wall panels 41. Each face 153, 155 incorporates a channel 157 which forms part of the respective connector 65 and which is adapted to cooperate with the side channel 53 on the side edge 49 of the abutting wall panel 41 to define a slot 75 for receiving the connector element 71, in a similar arrangement to that used for connecting two abutting side edges 49 of the wall panels 41 as previously described.

Other configurations of intermediate junction elements 67 may be required, according to the wall configuration of the building construction. By way of example, Figure 30 depicts an intermediate junction element 67 configured for wall panels arranged to form a corner angled at other than a right angle; specifically, a corner configured at 135 degrees in the arrangement illustrated. Figure 31 depicts an intermediate junction element 67 configured for a junction between three wall panels 41.

Also as mentioned earlier, a corner connector 69 is used to interconnect the wall panels 41 where there is an internal corner provided by the edge of one panel abutting the side of another panel. Such a connection is shown in Figure 9. The corner connector 69 comprises a central channel section 161 and two flank sections 163 on opposed sides of the channel section. The channel section 161 is snugly received in the channel 53 at the side edge of panel 41b and the two flank sections 163 are fastened to the side face 42 of wall panel 41a by fasteners 167. From the foregoing, it is evident that the present embodiment provided a simple yet highly effective arrangement for constructing walls 13 of a building using sandwich structured composite panels 41.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiment described and that various alterations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Claims

The Claim Defining the Invention is as Follows:

1. A construction system comprising two sandwich structured composite panels each comprising a central core and two skins on opposed sides of the central core, and a connector for connecting two abutting edges of the panels together, the connector comprising a channel in each abutting edge extending between opposed ends of the respective edge, and an elongate element accommodated in the two channels and extending between the opposed ends of the two channels, the elongate element having an longitudinal passage extending therealong opening onto the opposed ends of the two channel.

2. The construction system according to claim 1 wherein each channel comprises a central web and two channel sides upstanding from the web, the central web being innermost and the two channel sides extending outwardly from the central web to the edge of the respective panel.

3. The construction system according to claim 2 wherein the two channel sides are disposed generally normal to the central web.

4. The construction system according to claim 1 , 2 or 3 wherein the channel of each panel is formed in the core of the panel.

5. The construction system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate element comprises an element of rectangular hollow section.

6. The construction system according to claim 5 wherein the longitudinal element defines a longitudinal passage extending therethrough and opening onto the ends thereof and wherein a longitudinal member can be received in the longitudinal passage.

7. The construction system according to claim 5 wherein the longitudinal element comprises a tie rod.

8. The construction system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the elongate element is bonded in position in the channels to secure the two panels together.

9. The construction system according to claim 8 wherein the elongate element is adhesively bonded in position in the channels.

1O.The construction system according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a bottom channel at the bottom edge of each panel, the bottom channel being defined by the core of the panel and the skins extending beyond the core

11 The construction system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sandwich structured composite panel comprises a foam core.

12.The construction system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the skins comprise sheet metal or reinforced laminate.

13.The construction system according to claim 12 wherein the skins each comprise a magnesium oxide board.

14.A wall construction comprising two sandwich structured composite wall panels each comprising a central core and two skins on opposed sides of the central core, and a connector for connecting two abutting side edges of the wall panels together, the connector comprising a side channel in each abutting side edge extending between top and bottom edges of the respective wall panel, and an elongate element accommodated in the two channels and extending between the top and bottom edges of the wall panels, the elongate element having an longitudinal passage extending therealong opening onto the top and bottom edges of the wall panels.

15.The wall construction according to claim 14 wherein the side channel in each abutting edge is formed in the core of the respective panel.

16.The wall construction according to claim 14 or 15 wherein the elongate element is bonded in position in the channels to secure the two panels together.

17.The wall construction according to claim 16 wherein the elongate element is adhesively bonded in position in the channels.

18.The wall construction according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein each wall panel further comprises a bottom channel at the bottom edge thereof, the bottom channel being defined by the core of the panel and the skins extending beyond the core.

19.The wall construction according to any one of claims 14 to 18 further comprising a bottom plate, the bottom channel being adapted to locate on the bottom plate.

2O.The wall construction according to any one of claims 14 to 19 further comprising a top plate configured to receive the top edge of each wall panel.

21. The wall construction according to claim 20 further comprising a tie rod extending through the elongate element between the top and bottom plates.

22.The wall construction according to claim 21 comprising a plurality of the wall panels disposed in edge-to-edge relation between the top and bottom plates, with adjacent panels interconnected by the connectors, and at least some of the elongated elements having the tie rods therein extending between the top and bottom plates.

23.The wall construction according to any one of claims 19 to 22 wherein the bottom plate comprises a bottom longitudinal member having an upper web configured to define two flank sections and a central section forming a longitudinal recess, the longitudinal recess being of a size to receive the bottom end of each elongate element between adjacent wall panels.

24.The wall construction according to any one of claims 20 to 23 wherein the top plate comprises a top longitudinal member having an upper web configured to define two flank sections and a central section forming a longitudinal recess, the longitudinal recess defining a downwardly facing channel configured to receive the top end of each elongate element between adjacent wall panels.

25.The wall construction according to any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the tie rod is formed in sections, comprising a lower rod section and a further rod section, the lower rod section being anchored to a base on which the wall construction is erected, the lower rod section having an upper end extending through a hole in the upper web of the bottom plate and being threadingly engaged by a nut bearing on the upper web to secure the bottom plate to the base, the nut also being threadingly engaged with the further rod section to secure the two rod sections together.

26.The wall construction according to claim 25 wherein the tie rod further comprises an upper rod section having an upper end extending through a hole in the upper web of the top plate and being threadingly engaged by a nut bearing on the upper web to secure the top plate to the wall panels.

27.The wall construction according to claim 26 wherein upper rod section comprises the further rod section to which the bottom rod section is connected.

28.A building construction using a construction system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

29.A building construction having a wall construction according to any one of claims 14 to 27.

30. The building construction according to claim 29 further comprising a ceiling having a ceiling panel resting on one of the flanks of the top plate.

31. The building construction according to claim 30 wherein the ceiling panel is fixed to ceiling battens attached to the underside of a roof truss resting on the central section of the upper web of the top plate.

32.The building construction according to claim 30 wherein the roof truss is secured to the top plate using the nut engaged with the upper rod section of the tie rod.

33.A method of constructing a building comprising constructing a wall according to any one of claims 14 to 27.

34.A construction system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

35.A wall construction substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36.A building construction substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

37.A method of constructing a wall substantially as herein described.