GB2273310A - Improvements relating to buildings - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of constructing a building provides for the modular construction of a building whereby fractions of a building can be erected, plumbed, lined and then have wall or roof cladding applied thereto prior to the remainder of the building being similarly erected, plumbed, lined and cladded. The method is facilitated by the provision of a system or apparatus which includes the use of a levelling and adjustment means which enables each fraction of the building to be suitably plumbed and lined as it is being built. Moreover, the method also provides for the use of internally assembled wall or roof cladding so that workers can assemble the structure from the inner most side of the building. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO BUILDINGS The invention relates to a method of constructing a building and to an apparatus for use in said method.

Conventionally, the construction of a building is a sequential process which initially involves the erection of a suitable frame including upstanding sup porting columns and a plurality of interconnecting horizontal roofing structures supported on said columns, which roofing structures may be inclined so as to provide a conventional V sectioned roof. When such a framework has been completely assembled the entire structure is plumbed and lined, in conventional fashion, so as to compensate for any ground undulation, and when this process is complete wall and roof cladding is attached to the frame so as to complete the building. In the case of a large building it is possible that once a sizeable area has been erected and suitably braced that this area would be plumbed and lined whilst erection proceeds further ahead.

Typically, wall and roof cladding is built upon the frame by workers attaching suitable materials to the frame from the outside of the structure. Thus scaffolding, planking and the like must be assembled about the frame for this purpose. Then layers of wall and roof cladding, insulating materials, light fixtures and fittings etc are assembled, in sequential fashion, onto the frame.

The at ore described conventional way of constructing a building is a time consuming and inefficient procedure.

It follows, that not until the entire framework or a suitably sized braced area of a large building has been constructed can wall and roof cladding be attached to the structure. Further, the wall and roof cladding is assembled on site as components of the wall and roof cladding are sequentially added to the framework.

Furthermore, construction in the aforementioned fashion is hazardous in that individuals working on the, building must work on scaffolding surrounding the building. Laying a roof is particularly hazardous and many work men are injured in falls in spite of safety precautions. The most common accidents are caused by: a) stepping on to a roof-light or stepping on to the open aperture prior to the roof-light being fitted; b) stepping or slipping into the void below at the leading edge of the roofing process as it proceeds along the slope; c) stepping or slipping into the void below at the roof apex when one slope is covered and the opposite slope is not; d) falling through insulation or lining materials prior to the outer layer being laid; e) being caught by a gust of wind whilst carrying materials about the roof.

Thus there are quite often serious, in some instances fatal, injuries as a result of the practising of the above procedure.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus which overcomes the above described problems.

According to the invention there is therefore provided a method for constructing a building comprising; 1) erecting a fraction of a frame of a building; 2) plumbing and lining said fraction; 3) applying pre-assembled wall or roof cladding to said fraction from the inner side of said frame; and 4) repeating the above procedure until the entire structure is completed.

It will be understood that a building constructed in accordance with the method of the invention will be both quick and cost effective to produce in that the entire building can be sequentially built in small modular units which units are completed, or being completed while a neighbouring unit is being constructed. Furthermore, it is of note that individuals working the method of the invention will be able to add wall and roof cladding to the frame from the innerside of the buildings. This is possible, in part, because the wall and roof cladding are preassembled structures which require no on site assembled.

As a result of this such structures can be laid against the framework and then subsequently attached to the framework from the innermost sides. The sections are laid against the outside of the structures but are attached to the structure by work men stationed inside.

Preferably said wall and roof cladding are attached to the structure in overlapping or contiguous fashion so as to seal the structure.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a levelling and positioning system for a supporting column comprising a pocket for housing an adjustable alignment means, which is adapted for attachment to the column, a foundation pack on which said column is supported and characterised in that there is provided a levelling plate positionable between said pack and said column for the purpose of enabling the column to be erected, independent of other columns, substantially vertically.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a pre-assembled wall or roof cladding structure for attaching to a building frame comprising; 1) an outer panel; 2) a supporting means.

Preferably the pre-assembled wall or roof cladding structure will also comprise an insulation means or fire resistant means and further a lighting means and indeed any other means which is required and which would normally be located within a wall or roof cladding structure.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures wherein; Figure la represents a diagrammatic sectional view of a base of a column used in a building structure; Figure ib represents a diagrammatic sectional view of a base of a column in accordance with the invention used in a building structure; and Figure 2 represents a perspective view of an assembled building framework.

In order to understand clearly the method and apparatus of the invention a prior art procedure will firstly be described in order to illustrate the conventional way building structures are erected.

Referring to Figure la. Pockets lx are provided in a concrete foundation 2x and holding down bolts 12 are positioned within pockets lx. A foundation pack 10 is placed on the uppermost surface of the concrete foundation between space holding down bolts 12, normally set to the correct level, and a column 1 is positioned on foundation pack 10 so that holding down bolts 12 are aligned with mating holes 12a provided in the lower most annular surface of column 1, nuts 12b are then used to secure holding down bolt 12 to column 1. The bolts 12 and column 1 are not aligned or adjusted at this stage.

Referring now to Figure 2. A plurality of spaced, aligned, vertical columns El, E2, E3, E4, E5 and E6 are attached to a correspondingly spaced and aligned series of pockets lx and holding down bolts 12 (not shown).

At a predetermined distance from column El columns E2 and Al to A2 are similarly erected.

Once the outermost spaced columns have been erected columns 16, 18 and 20 on grid line 1 are similarly erected. Columns 16, 18 and 20 vary in length so as to provide for a sloping roof section.

On grid line 1 a first rafter R1 is attached to the uppermost ends of supporting columns El, Al and 16, 18 and 20. Similarly, a second rafter R2 is attached to the uppermost ends of columns E2 and A2. Purlins 22 are then attached between rafters R1 and R2. Rafter bracings 24, 26, 28 and 30 are then attached between rafters R1 R2.

Columns E3 and A3 are then erected in the manner described previously, rafter R3 is then attached to the uppermost ends of column E3 and A3. Purlins 22 are then attached between rafters R2 and R3. Rafter bracings are not required in every bay. In Figure 2 they are shown in the two end bays only. Other buildings may only have them in one bay.

It will be understood that this procedure is repeated until the entire building has been constructed.

Once this procedure is finished the structure is plumbed and lined, this means that the bases of each column must be wedged into the correct position, it is therefore of note that holding down bolts 12 are free to move within pockets lx. If any columns are not vertical they are pulled mechanically, to the vertical and pockets lx are then filled with grout or the like.

Wall and roof cladding is now added to the structure.

The roof is normally laid prior to the wall cladding.

A security rail is erected around the perimeter of the building at the height of the roof and bundles of roofing materials are lifted on to the roof of the building frame. A walkway has to be laid over the purl ins so that the work men can carry the -roofing materials to the area where they would be laid. As the roof laying progresses along the slope the work men use the previously laid area to walk on and to work from.

There is usually also a walkway laid from eaves to ridge in front of the leading edge of the laying process on which work men can stand in order to support one edge of the roofing panels as they are being laid.

The space between the leading edge of the previously laid panel and the walkway is wide enough to allow the next roofing panel to be laid between them. When each run of roofing panels has been laid from eaves to ridge the walkway is then pushed forward along the slope to accommodate the next run of panels.

Materials which are to form part of the roof cladding are lifted onto the roof scaffolding so that workers, working on the scaffolding, can attach said materials to the structure.

Roofing panels are laid individually and each run of panels from the eaves to the ridge have to be lined prior to all the fixings being installed. The insulation materials and fixings are normally lifted onto the roof daily and all materials lashed down at night to prevent wind damage. Roof lights have to be covered or fenced off to prevent workmen falling through the cavity provided therefor.

Once the roofing has been completed the wall cladding is added to the structure. Wall cladding is normally assembled by workmen standing on a tower scaffold which is moved about the building as the work progresses.

Wall cladding materials are sequentially assembled on the frame as the building is constructed.

The alternative method and apparatus of the invention will now be described in order to illustrate the nature of the invention.

Referring to Figure lb. Conventional pockets lx are provided in a concrete foundation and holding down bolts 12 are positioned within said pockets. A foundation pack 10 is located on the uppermost surface of the concrete foundation in a position between pockets lx. Further, and in addition to the conventional method, a levelling plate 100 is located on the uppermost end of holding down bolts 12 above foundation pack 10, prior to column 1 being positioned on holding bolts 12. This adjustable plate 100 is then levelled at the specified height, positioned laterally and longitudinally and nuts 12b and 12c are secured to bolts 12. Once this is completed grout is placed in pockets lx.

Each column is levelled, positioned and secured finally as the building is constructed.

The above described process is repeated for columns El, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6 and for spaced and aligned columns Al, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6. Alternatively, it is good practise to fully erect one bay at a time, including rafter and purlins, before moving on to adjacent columns.

It will therefore be understood that supporting vertical columns El and Al can be positioned, levelled and secured prior to any other portion of the building being constructed.

Gable rail G1 is then attached to columns Al, 20, 18, 16 and El at eaves height. Rafter R1 is then attached to columns Al, 20, 18, 16 and El.

Ties, two in number, are attached between rafters R1 and R2, one on each slope.

Rafter bracings 24, 26, 28, 30 are fitted between rafters Ra and R2.

The next three bays have no rafter bracings.

Figure 2 shows no rafter bracings in the next three bays, which is why we propose to use a removable square frame to further ensure that the building is kept square prior to laying the roofing sections.

however, it will be understood that pre-assembled roof and wall cladding may be added to the assembled structure as, and when, each portion of the assembled structure has been completed. It is not necessary to wait until the entire structure has been completed before roof and wall cladding sections are added to the structure.

Using conventional lifting aids, pre-assembled roof sections are lifted into position, preferably working up slope from the eaves. Workmen located within the building structure attach the roof cladding to the structure from the inside of the building.

Each pre-assembled roof cladding section comprises an outer panel which may be made of any desirable materials so as to be suitable for conditions and so as to be aesthetically pleasing. It- also includes a supporting means or structure which adds strength in the cladding. Further the pre-assembled cladding also includes an insulation material and a fire resistant material, it may be that the insulation material is selected for its fire resistant properties or alternatively that a separate fire resistant material is incorporated into the structure, or alternatively only a fire resistant material is present in the structure.

Further the pre-assembled roof cladding also includes, where desirable, lighting means or any other suitable means typically located in a roof structure.

In order to facilitate mounting of pre-assembled roof cladding on the roof frame a bolt square frame is provided which square frame is sized and shaped so as correspond to the dimensions of spaced roof structures whereby the square frame can be attached to the roof structure, releasably, for the purpose of moving about the roof surface as roof cladding is added to the building.

Wall cladding of a pre-assembled nature typically comprises an outer panel which is selected from any materials used for wall cladding purposes, an inner insulating material which may also be fire resistant or, alternatively, a fire resistant material, and a suitable supporting mean so as to add strength to the pre-assembled wall cladding structure. Wall cladding structures are positioned against and attached to the vertical supporting columns in contiguous or overlapping fashion so as to ensure that the building is sealed.

Once the cladding materials have been added to the framework external gutters, drainpipes, barge-boards etc are fitted from the outside of the building.

It will be understood however, that the majority of the framework coverings, are attached to the structure from the inside of the building.

The invention therefore provides a method of construction which is both efficient and cost effective and further, apparatus in the form of pre-assembled wall or roof cladding structures which can be easily and efficiently attached to a building structure from, preferably, the innermost side of the building so dispensing with the need to provide external scaffolding and also safeguarding against the hazards of using external scaffolding and using the roof as a working platform.

Overall time on site to erect steel work and fix roof and wall cladding will be reduced by fifty percent.

Claims (10)

1. A method for constructing a building comprising: a) erecting a fraction of a frame of a building; b) plumbing and lining said fraction; c) applying pre-assembled wall or roof cladding to said fraction from the inner side of said frame; and d) repeating the above procedure until the entire structure is completed.

2. A method according to Claim 1 wherein said plumbing and lining is undertaken using a levelling plate positioned beneath a column of said building.

3. A levelling and positioning system for supporting a column of a building comprising a pocket means provided in a solid foundation for housing an adjustable alignment means which alignment means is adapted for attaching to said column, a foundation pack on which said column is supported and characterized in that there is provided a levelling plate positionable between said pack and said column for the purpose of enabling the column to be erected, independent of other columns, substantially vertically.

4. A system according to Claim 3 wherein said adjustable alignment means comprises a bolt member to which the levelling plate can be securely attached at any pre-selected location whereby the vertical positioning of the plate can be adjusted.

5. A system according to Claim 4 wherein at least two of said pocket means and said adjustable alignment means are provided and symmetrically spaced with respect to said column.

6. A pre-assembled wall or roof cladding structure for attaching to a building frame comprising: an outer panel and a supporting frame.

7. A structure according to Claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises bracings.

8. A structure according to Claim 6 wherein said supporting means comprises rafters.

9. A structure according to Claim 6 wherein said structure further comprises insulation means.

10. A structure according to Claim 6 wherein said structure further comprises fire resistant means.