APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODULAR CONSTRUCTION
Methods of modular building construction are provided. One method includes (a) providing a first volumetric construction module comprising a frame, the frame including a first segment; (b) defining a volume of a composite segment and integrating the first segment with the volume; and (c) filling the volume with a curable material to cast the composite segment. Related methods, components, buildings incorporating such components, and methods of manufacture of components are also provided.
This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. provisional application No. 61/570,656 filed 14 Dec. 2011.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe invention relates to modular construction of buildings. Embodiments of the invention provide volumetric construction modules, methods for assembling such modules into buildings, and buildings and structural components of buildings constructed from such modules.
BACKGROUNDModular building construction has many advantages over conventional building construction. For example, prefabricated construction sections can be manufactured away from construction sites at centralized factories, which may permit more productive use of time, labour, material and equipment. Modular construction also presents fewer logistical challenges than conventional construction by marshalling and assembling materials, devices and equipment off site in factory conditions and thereby reducing the variety of materials and components required during construction and by permitting efficient division and scheduling of on-site construction tasks. Modular construction may also be performed with less extensive site preparation, and can streamline the process of obtaining engineering approval. These and other advantages of modular construction may be especially pronounced in the construction of multi-story buildings. For instance, modular construction may allow for a smaller construction site footprint, since arranging just-in-time delivery of and storage for fewer and less various prefabricated construction sections is simpler than for more diverse materials and components used in conventional construction.
Additional economic advantages may be realized in modular construction by using prefabricated volumetric construction modules. For example, prefabricated volumetric construction modules may allow pre-installation (e.g., before delivery to the construction site or at the construction site before placement of the module in the building) of utility connections (e.g., plumbing, electricity wiring, HVAC, fire protection, etc.), interior finishing (e.g., kitchen fixtures, bathroom fixtures, cabinetry, drywall, curtain walls, etc.), and fenestration hardware (e.g., doors, windows, casings therefore, etc.). Prefabricated volumetric construction modules may also be configured to accord with the dimensions of intermodal shipping containers, thereby simplifying and economizing transportation, handling and assembly of the modules.
Building codes in much of the world require buildings to meet minimum structural strength criteria. In some areas of the world, building codes require buildings to meet structural strength and stiffness criteria sufficient to withstand the loads that occur during seismic events. It is a challenge to construct multi-story buildings that have adequate structural strength from prefabricated structural sections without incurring costs that extinguish the economic advantages of modular construction. The challenge of constructing multi-story buildings is especially daunting when using volumetric construction modules, due to the lack of continuity of the volumetric construction modules structural members.
Most modern residential high rise buildings are built with concrete reinforced with rebar. In these buildings it is conventional to provide reinforced concrete diaphragms that span shear walls and/or building frames. The concrete diaphragms transmit horizontal forces to the shear walls and/or building frames. Though it is possible to construct conventional buildings with rebar reinforced concrete walls and slab diaphragms around volumetric construction modules employing the modules as formwork, (such as is described in Published PCT Application no. WO 2009/061702), in general this is not cost efficient.
Another aspect of this challenge is the problem of providing vertical and lateral load bearing members that are sufficiently strong to support buildings having at least several stories. Currently, it is conventional to provide reinforced concrete columns by encasing steel re-bar in concrete. This typically involves casting concrete in and around re-bar cages, which requires tying steel re-bar and assembling concrete formwork around the rebar on-site. For multi-story buildings, this requires tying steel-rebar, and placing and removing concrete forms at progressively higher floors. The connections of beams to columns are particularly challenging for rebar installation due to congestion of rebar required to counteract the forces concentrated at these locations. Setting, stripping, cleaning, rigging and resetting formwork is also time consuming and labour intensive particularly for concrete slab soffit forms.
There is accordingly need for volumetric construction modules, building systems and construction methods that facilitate construction of structurally strong multi-story buildings from prefabricated volumetric construction modules.
References in the general field of the technology include the following:
- CA 2,542,184 □BUILDING MODULES
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,331,170 □PREASSEMBLED SUBENCLOSURES ASSEMBLED TO FORM BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,910 □MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
- U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,829 □MODULAR CONTAINER BUILDING SYSTEM
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,151 □EARTHQUAKE, WIND RESISTANT AND FIRE RESISTANT PRE-FABRICATED BUILDING PANELS AND STRUCTURES FORMED THEREFROM
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,827,738 □SYSTEM FOR MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
- US 2003/0188507 □METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING MODULAR SHELTERS USING RECYCLED LAND/SEA SHIPPING CONTAINERS
- US 2005/0223651 □BARRIER-PROTECTED CONTAINER
- US 2006/0185264 □PREFABRICATED BUILDING METHOD
- US 2008/0307729 □STRUCTURAL PANELS
- US 2007/0084135 □CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM FOR STEEL-FRAME BUIDLINGS
- US 2011/0036018 □MOVABLE BUILDING
- WO 2009/061702 □MODULAR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION UNIT, SYSTEM, AND METHOD
- WO 2009/132387 □FIRE RATED, MULTI-STOREY, MULTI-DWELLING STRUCTURE AND METHOD TO CONSTRUCT SAME
- WO 2011/15836 □MODULAR BUILDING AND FOUNDATION SYSTEM THEREFOR AND METHODS FOR THEIR CONSTRUCTION
- DE 3716795 □FORMWORK FOR AN UNDERGROUND BOMB SHELTER
- FR 2710087 □CONSTRUCTION COMPONENTS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THEM
- GB 8323946 □PORTABLE BUILDING
- GB 2146053 □PORTABLE BUILDING
- EP 1123449 □VOLUMETRIC MODULAR BUILDING SYSTE
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.
SUMMARYThe following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.
An aspect of the invention provides a method of modular building construction comprising (a) providing a first volumetric construction module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment; (b) defining a volume of a composite segment and integrating the first segment with the volume; and (c) filling the volume with a curable material to cast the composite segment. The method may include, prior to step (b), step (a)(i) comprising providing a structure adjacent the first volumetric construction module, the adjacent structure comprising a second segment, and wherein step (b) comprises integrating the first segment and the second segment with the volume. In step (b) the volume may contain at least a portion of the first and second segments. Step (b) may comprise defining a boundary of the volume with temporary formwork. Step (b) may comprise defining at least a portion of the boundary of the volume with the first and second segments. The adjacent structure may comprise a second volumetric construction module comprising a frame including the second segment. The curable material may comprise a high strength curable material, such as carbon fibre reinforced polymer or high strength concrete.
The method may include, prior to step (b), step (a)(ii) comprising augmenting structural capacity of the composite segment. Step (a)(ii) may comprise coupling the first segment and/or the second segment to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume. Step (a)(ii) may further comprise coupling a column reinforcement member to the plurality of shear connectors. Step (a)(ii) may comprise providing a column closure member opposite to the first segment and/or the second segment, the column closure member defining a portion of the boundary of the volume. The column closure member may be coupled to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume. Step (a)(ii) may comprise providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, the first and second reinforcement elements extending in transverse planes with respect to each other. The first reinforcement elements may comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements comprise rebar stirrups. Step (a)(ii) may further comprise providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, wherein the second reinforcement elements engage the shear connectors. The first reinforcement elements may comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements comprise rebar stirrups. Step (a)(ii) may comprise coupling the first segment and the second segment by wrapping the segments with fibre reinforced polymer wrap.
Each of the first and second volumetric construction modules may have an opening defined in its side that faces the other module, wherein the volume may comprise a space between the modules adjacent the openings. The volume may comprise a space between adjacent corners of the frame of the at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules. The volume may comprise a space adjacent an edge of the frame of at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules. The first and second volumetric construction modules may be provided in laterally adjacent relation. The first and second volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation may comprise providing the modules such that a side of one module is adjacent a side of the other module, or such that an end of one module is adjacent a side of the other module, or such that an end of one module is adjacent an end of the other module. The frame of each of the first and second volumetric construction module may comprise a plurality of vertical posts, wherein the volume comprises a space between opposed posts of the modules. The frame of each of the first and second volumetric construction module may comprise a horizontal rail, wherein the volume comprises a space between opposed rails of the modules. Each of the first and second volumetric construction module may comprise a panel section fastened to the frame, wherein the volume comprises a space between opposed panel sections of the modules.
Adjacent upper portions of the frames may be bridged with a structural member to provide a bottom boundary of a slab volume. The structural member may comprise one or more upwardly extending shear connectors. The shear connectors may extend past the top of the frames. A plurality of rebar rods and rebar stirrups may be provided in the slab volume. The structural member may comprise a hot or cold rolled steel section, such as a plate, I beam or truss. A boundary of the slab volume may be partially defined by a spacer installed above the first volumetric construction module and/or the second volumetric construction module. The top corners of the frame of each of the first and second volumetric construction modules may comprise corner fittings having upper orifices, wherein the spacer comprises at least one downward projection, and wherein installing the at least one spacer comprises mating the at least one downward projection with one of the upper orifices. A curable material may be introduced to the slab volume. An upper volumetric construction module may be provided above each of the first and second volumetric construction modules, each of the upper volumetric construction modules comprising a frame. At least bottom corners of the frame of each upper module may comprise corner fittings having lower orifices, wherein the spacer comprises at least one upward projection, and wherein providing the upper volumetric modules above the volumetric construction modules comprises mating the at least one upward projection with one of the lower orifices.
Each of the frames of the first and second volumetric construction modules may comprise a rectangular parallelpiped frame. The rectangular parallelpiped frame may comprise at least a part of a frame of an intermodal shipping container. The curable material may comprise concrete.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of modular building construction comprising: (a) providing first and second volumetric construction modules in lateral relation, each module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment; (b) providing a panel expansion member spanning opposing top rails of the frames and a floor frame between opposing bottom rails of the frame, the space between the panel expansion member and the floor frame defining an expansion space, wherein at least one of the panel expansion member and the floor frame comprise a second segment; (c) defining a volume of a composite segment, the volume integrating the first segment and the second segment; and (d) filling the volume with a curable material to cast the composite segment. In step (c) the volume may contain at least a portion of the first and second segments. Step (c) may comprise defining a boundary of the volume with temporary formwork. Step (c) may comprise defining at least a portion of the boundary of the volume with the first and second segments. The method may include, prior to step (d), a step (c)(i) comprising augmenting the structural capacity of the composite segment. Step (c)(i) may comprise coupling the first segment and/or the second segment to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume. Step (c)(i) may comprise providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, the first and second reinforcement elements extending in transverse planes with respect to each other. The first reinforcement elements may comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements comprise rebar stirrups.
Each volumetric construction module may have an opening defined in its side that faces the expansion space, and wherein the volumes comprises a space between the modules and the expansion space adjacent the opening. The volume may comprise a space between adjacent corners of the frame of the at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules. The volume may comprise a space adjacent an edge of the frame of at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules. A side of the first volumetric construction module may be aligned with the side of the second volumetric construction module, with the expansion space located therebetween. A side of the first volumetric construction module may be aligned with an end of the second volumetric construction module, with the expansion space located therebetween. An end of the first volumetric construction module may be aligned with an end of the second volumetric construction module, with the expansion space located therebetween. The panel expansion member may partially define a bottom boundary of a slab volume above the modules and the expansion space. The panel expansion member may comprise a structural member at two side regions of the panel expansion member wherein spanning opposing top rails comprises resting at least a portion of the structural member on the top rails. The structural member may comprise a hot or cold rolled steel section, such as a plate, I beam or truss. The structural member may be provided with upwardly projecting shear connectors. Each of the frames of the first and second volumetric construction modules may comprise a rectangular parallelpiped frame. The rectangular parallelpiped frame may comprise at least a part of a frame of an intermodal shipping container. The panel expansion member may comprise at least a part of a panel of an intermodal shipping container. The floor frame may comprise at least a part of a floor frame of an intermodal shipping container. The curable material may comprise concrete.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of modular building construction comprising: (a) providing a first volumetric construction module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment; (b) providing a partially constructed building comprising a frame comprising a second segment; (c) defining a volume of a composite segment, the volume integrating the first segment and the second segment; and (d) filling the volume with a curable material to cast the composite segment. In step (c) the volume may contain at least a portion of the first and second segments. Step (c) may comprise defining a boundary of the volume with temporary formwork. Step (c) may comprise defining at least a portion of the boundary of the volume with the first and second segments. Prior to step (d), a step (c)(i) may comprise augmenting the structural capacity of the composite segment. Step (c)(i) may comprise coupling the first segment and/or the second segment to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume. Step (c)(i) may further comprise providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, the first and second reinforcement elements extending in transverse planes with respect to each other. The first reinforcement elements may comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements may comprise rebar stirrups.
Another aspect of the invention provides a modular building diaphragm comprising: roof panels of first and second volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation; floor frames of third and fourth volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation, the third and fourth modules above the first and second modules, respectively; a beam soffit member connected between upper portions of the first and second modules and having one or more shear connectors extending upwardly between the third and fourth modules; and a continuous body of concrete in contact with at least a portion of each of the roof panels of the first and second modules, the laterally adjacent portions of the third and fourth modules, and the beam soffit member, the concrete bonded in composite action with the one or more shear connectors of the beam soffit member.
Another aspect of the invention provides a modular building diaphragm comprising: roof panels of first and second volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation; floor frames of third and fourth volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation, the third and fourth modules above the first and second modules and, respectively, bottom rails of the third and fourth modules rigidly connected by at least one shear connector; a structural member connected between upper portions of the first and second modules; and at least one first reinforcing element extending in a direction parallel to a long axis of the bottom rails; a plurality of second reinforcing elements oriented in a plane transverse to the long axis of the bottom rails, each of the second reinforcing elements coupling the at least one shear connector to the at least one first reinforcing element; and a continuous body of concrete in contact with at least a portion of each of the roof panels of the first and second modules, the laterally adjacent portions of the third and fourth modules, the at least one first reinforcing element, the plurality of second reinforcing elements, and the structural member, the concrete bonded in composite action with the one or more shear connectors of the beam soffit member.
Another aspect of the invention provides a column in a modular building, the column comprising: a first panel section of a first volumetric construction module; a second panel section of a second volumetric construction module, the second panel section parallel to and spaced apart from the first panel section; at least one shear connector extending into a volume between the first panel section and the second panel section and attached to at least one of the first panel section and the second panel section; at least one column closure member closing lateral sides of the volume between the first panel section and the second panel section; and concrete in the volume bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector. The first module may have an opening defined in part by an inward edge of the first panel section, wherein the second module has an opening defined in part by an inward edge of the second panel section, and wherein the at least one column closure member borders the openings in the first and second modules. At least one shear connector may be attached to the at least more column closure member, wherein the concrete is bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector attached to the at least one column closure member.
Another aspect of the invention provides a column in a modular building, the column comprising: a first corner post section of a first volumetric construction module; a first vertically extending reinforcement member; a first plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the first corner post section to the first vertically extending reinforcement member; a volume defined by temporary formwork, the volume surrounding and including the first corner post section, the first vertically extending reinforcement member, and the first plurality of shear connectors; and concrete in the volume encasing and bonding in composite action the first corner post section, the first vertically extending reinforcement member, and the first plurality of shear connectors. The column may further comprise a second corner post section of a second volumetric construction module adjacent the first corner post section; a second vertically extending reinforcement member; a second plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the second corner post section to the second vertically extending reinforcement member; wherein the volume additionally surrounds and includes the second corner post section, the second vertically extending reinforcement member, and the second plurality of shear connectors; and wherein the concrete in the volume additionally encases and bonds in composite action the second corner post section, the second vertically extending reinforcement member, and the second plurality of shear connectors.
Another aspect of the invention provides a column in a modular building, the column comprising: a first corner post section of a first volumetric construction module; a second corner post section of a second volumetric construction module adjacent the first corner post section; a first plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the first corner post section to the second corner post section; a volume defined by temporary formwork, the volume surrounding and including the first corner post section, the second corner post section, and the first plurality of shear connectors; and concrete in the volume encasing and bonding in composite action the first corner post section, the second corner post section, and the first plurality of shear connectors. The column may further comprise a third corner post section of a third volumetric construction module adjacent the first or second corner post section; a fourth corner post section of a forth volumetric construction module adjacent the third corner post section; a second plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the third corner post section to the fourth corner post section; wherein the volume additionally surrounds and includes the third corner post section, the fourth corner post section, and the second plurality of shear connectors; and wherein the concrete in the volume additionally encases and bonds in composite action the third corner post section, the fourth corner post section, and the second plurality of shear connectors.
Another aspect of the invention provides a column in a modular building, the column comprising: a first corner post section of a first volumetric construction module; at least one first reinforcing element extending in a direction parallel to a long axis of the first corner post section; at plurality of second reinforcing elements oriented in a plane transverse to the long axis of the first corner post section, each of the second reinforcing elements surrounding both the first corner post section and the at least one first reinforcing element; and a volume defined by temporary formwork, the volume surrounding and including the first corner post section, the at least one first reinforcing element and the plurality of second reinforcing elements; and concrete in the volume encasing and bonding in composite action the first corner post section, the at least one first reinforcing element and the plurality of second reinforcing elements. The column may further comprise a second corner post section adjacent the first corner post section, wherein each of the second reinforcing elements surround the second corner post section, wherein the volume surrounds and includes the second corner post section, and wherein the concrete in the volume encases and bonds in composite action the first corner post section, the second corner post section, the at least one first reinforcing element and the plurality of second reinforcing elements. The at least one first reinforcing element may comprise a rebar rod, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements comprise rebar stirrups.
Another aspect of the invention provides a beam in a modular building, the beam comprising: a first horizontal rail of a first volumetric construction module; a second horizontal rail of a second volumetric construction module, the second horizontal rail parallel to and spaced apart from the first rail; at least one shear connector extending into a volume between the first rail and the second rail and attached to at least one of the first rail and the second rail; a beam soffit member below the first rail and the second rail, the beam soffit member having one or more shear connectors extending into the volume between the first rail and the second rail; and concrete in the volume between the first rail and the second rail, the concrete bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector attached to at least one of the first rail and the second rail and with the one or more shear connectors of the beam soffit member. The first module may have an opening defined above the first rail, wherein the second module has an opening defined above the second rail, and wherein an upper face of the concrete borders the openings in the first and second modules.
Another aspect of the invention provides a beam in a modular building, the beam comprising: a first horizontal rail of a first volumetric construction module; a second horizontal rail of a second volumetric construction module, the second horizontal rail parallel to and spaced apart from the first rail; at least one shear connector extending between the first rail and the second rail and attached to at least one of the first rail and the second rail; at least one first reinforcing element extending in a direction parallel to a long axis of the first and second horizontal rail; at plurality of second reinforcing elements oriented in a plane transverse to the long axis of the first and second horizontal rail, each of the second reinforcing elements coupling the at least one shear connector to the at least one first reinforcing element; and a structural member below the first rail, the second rail, the at least one first reinforcing element, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements; and concrete in a volume defined between the first rail and the second rail, the concrete bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector, the at least one first reinforcing element, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements. The structural member may be comprise a hot or cold rolled steel section, such as a plate, I beam or truss. The plurality of second reinforcing elements may be substantially U-shaped, wherein end regions of the U-shape engage the at least one shear connector, and a middle region of the U-shape engages the at least one first reinforcing element. The at least one first reinforcing element may comprise a rebar rod, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements comprise rebar stirrups.
Another aspect of the invention provides a shear wall in a modular building, the shear wall comprising: a shear wall panel; at least a portion of one end or side of a volumetric construction module; at least one connector rigidly fixed to and extending between the shear wall panel and the portion of the one end or side; concrete in a volume defined between the shear wall panel and the portion of one end or side. The shear wall panel may comprise repurposed intermodal shipping container wall material.
Another aspect of the invention provides a volumetric construction module comprising: a frame having opposed ends and opposed sides extending between the ends; and one or more shear connectors projecting outwardly from the frame. The frame may comprise at least part of a rectangular parallelepiped frame of an intermodal shipping container. The one or more shear connectors may extend between adjacent corners of the frame. The one or more shear connectors may comprise an array of stud-type shear connectors. The one or more shear connectors may comprise at least one strip-type shear connector. The one or more shear connectors may be located adjacent an edge of the frame. The edge may comprise an edge between one of the ends of the frame and one of the sides of the frame. The frame may comprise a plurality of vertical posts, and wherein at least one of the one or more shear connectors is attached to one of the posts. The module may comprise a panel section coupled to the frame, wherein at least one of the one or more shear connectors is attached to the panel section. The edge may comprise an edge between a bottom of the frame and one of the sides of the frame. The edge may be located along the top of one of the ends. The frame may comprise a horizontal rail, and at least one of the one or more shear connectors may be attached to the rail. The frame may have an opening in one of its sides, wherein at least one of the shear connectors extends along an edge of the opening.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method for making a volumetric construction module, the method comprising: providing an intermodal shipping container; installing one or more shear connectors on the outside of the container. The method may comprise removing a portion of a side panel of the container to define an opening in a side of the container. The method may comprise detachably fastening the removed portion of the side panel to the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise: attaching the one or more shear connectors to the removed portion of the side panel; and laminating the removed portion of the side panel to a remaining portion of the side panel of the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise installing one or more shear connectors between adjacent corners of the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise installing an array of stud-type shear connectors. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise installing at least one strip-type shear connector. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise installing the one or more shear connectors adjacent to an edge of the container. The edge may comprise an edge between an end of the container and a side of the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise attaching at least one of the one or more shear connectors to a post of the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise attaching at least one of the one or more shear connectors to a panel of the container. The edge may comprise an edge between a bottom of the container and a side of the container. The edge may comprise an edge between a top of the container and an end of the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise attaching at least one of the one or more shear connectors to a horizontal rail of the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise welding at least one of the one or more shear connectors to the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise adhesively bonding at least one of the one or more shear connectors to the container. Installing the one or more shear connectors may comprise mechanically coupling at least one of the one or more shear connectors to the container.
Another aspect of the invention provides a building comprising: two volumetric construction modules in adjacent relation, each module comprising: a frame having opposed ends and opposed sides extending between the ends, and one or more first shear connectors coupled to the frame and extending toward the other module; at least one first closure member closing lateral sides of a first volume between the modules that includes the one or more first shear connectors; and concrete occupying the first volume. Each module may have an opening defined in its side that faces the other module, and wherein the first volume is adjacent the openings. Each of the modules may comprise one or more second shear connectors, and wherein the building comprises: at least one second first closure member closing lateral sides of a second volume between the modules that includes the one or more second shear connectors; and concrete occupying the second volume, wherein the second volume is spaced apart from the first volume and adjacent the openings in the modules. The frame of each module may comprise at least part of a rectangular parallelpiped frame of an intermodal shipping container.
Another aspect of the invention provides a building comprising: a first volumetric construction module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment; a volume of a composite segment, the volume integrating the first segment; and concrete occupying the volume. The building may comprise a structure adjacent the first volumetric construction module, the adjacent structure comprising a second segment, wherein the volume integrates the first segment and the second segment. The adjacent structure may comprise a second volumetric construction module, an expansion space, and/or a partially constructed building. The volume may contain at least a portion of the first and second segments, wherein boundaries of the volume are formed by temporary formwork. The building may comprise a base isolation system.
In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following detailed descriptions.
The accompanying drawings show non-limiting example embodiments.
Throughout the following description specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding to persons skilled in the art. However, well known elements may not have been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure. Accordingly, the description and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.
In some embodiments of the invention, volumetric construction modules are integrated with concrete and/or other curable materials having high-compressive strength to form composite segments (e.g., columns, beams, slabs, diaphragms, etc. comprising steel and concrete). In particular, in some embodiments, one or more segments (e.g. corner posts, end rails, side rails, etc.) of volumetric construction modules may be integrated with a curable material to form the composite segment. Shear connections or other means (e.g. fibre reinforced polymer wraps) may be provided in particular embodiments to augment the structural capacity of the composite segment while in other particular embodiments such augmentation is not provided (i.e., structural capacity is derived solely from the segments integrated with the high strength curable material). For simplicity of exposition, a volumetric construction module and various components according to an example embodiment are introduced first, and this is followed by an explanation of how the module and components may be combined in a building according to an example embodiment.
Volumetric construction modules according to some example embodiments comprise at least some parts of intermodal shipping containers. Presently, intermodal shipping containers can be obtained in developed countries at relatively low prices (in some cases less than the cost of their component materials) due to global trade imbalances. Embodiments which comprise intermodal shipping containers may reap cost advantages from the availability of low-cost intermodal shipping containers. Such embodiments may also reap advantages associated with ease of transporting these containers, as well as with the standard dimensions, tight tolerances and specified structural capacities to which these containers are built. In some embodiments, the volumetric construction module may comprise other suitable modules including purpose built modules. The shape of the volumetric construction module may be rectangular or any other shape suitable for the particular application.
Container 10 comprises a volumetric parallelepiped frame 12. Frame 12 comprises a rectangular opening end frame 22 at its opening end 20, a rectangular closed end frame 32 at its closed end 30, and rectangular side frames 42L and 42R at its left and right sides 40L and 40R, respectively. Side frames 42L and 42R may be referred to collectively or generally herein as side frames 42. The terms □opening end □and □closed end □are used herein to denote the different ends of example containers and shipping modules for convenience only, and it will be understood that different container and modules not having opening and closed ends may be used in embodiments of the invention.
Opening end frame 22 comprises a top opening end rail 24, bottom opening end rail 26, left opening end corner post 28L and right opening end corner post 28R. Opening end corner posts 28L and 28R may be referred to collectively or generally herein as corner posts 28. Closed end frame 32 comprises a top closed end rail 34, bottom closed end rail 36, left closed end corner post 38L (not shown in
Corner fittings 14 are located at each of the corners of opening end frame 20 and closed end frame 30. Corner fittings 14 have orifices 16 on their exposed faces for connecting, lifting and lashing container 10 during transport and handling. Side rails extend between opposite corner fittings 14 of opening end frame 22 and closed end frame 32. More particularly:
-
- top left side rail 44L extends between corner fitting 14 at the top left corner of opening end frame 22 and corner fitting 14 at the top left corner of closed end frame 32;
- top right side rail 44R extends between corner fitting 14 at the top right corner of opening end frame 22 and corner fitting 14 at the top right corner of closed end frame 32;
- bottom left side rail 46L (not shown in
FIG. 1 ; seeFIG. 2 ) extends between corner fitting 14 at the bottom left corner of opening end frame 22 and corner fitting 14 at the bottom left corner of closed end frame 32; and - bottom right side rail 46R extends between corner fitting 14 at the bottom right corner of opening end frame 22 and corner fitting 14 at the bottom right corner of closed end frame 32.
Left side frame 42L comprises left opening corner post 28L, left closed corner post 38L, top left side rail 44L, and bottom left side rail 46L. Right side frame 42R comprises right opening corner post 28R, right closed corner post 38R, top right side rail 44R, and bottom right side rail 46R. As described above, corner posts 28 and 38 are, respectively, also components of opening and closing end frames 22 and 32. Top side rails 44L and 44R may be referred to collectively or generally herein as top side rails 44. Bottom side rails 46L and 46R may be referred to collectively or generally herein as top side rails 46.
End frames 22 and 32, and side frames 42 are closed by either corrugated steel panels or by doors in the case of opening end frame 22. Doors 52 hingedly connected to opening end corner posts 28 are pivotable to selectively close opening end frame 22. When closed, doors 52 span opening end corner posts 28, top opening end rail 24 and bottom opening end rail 26. An end panel 54 closes closed end frame 32. A left side panel 56L closes left side frame 42L. A right side panel 56R closes right side frame 42R. The top face of container 10 is closed by a top panel 58.
The bottom of container 10 comprises a floor frame 62 comprising left and right bottom side rails 46L and 46R, opening end bottom rail 26 and a closed end bottom rail 36 (not shown in
Container 10 is designed and built to be loaded and stacked on container ships. A twenty foot ISO standard intermodal shipping container 10 has a tare weight of 2,220 kilograms (4,894 lbs.), can be loaded to a gross weight up to 30,480 kilograms (67,197 lbs.), and can be stacked 9 high (i.e., can support the weight of 8 loaded containers weighing a total of 244 metric tonnes). In modern intermodal shipping container designs all components participate in the container structural integrity, and the specified level of structural capability is assured only when all walls, floors and roofs are in place and doors are closed. Removing any portion of an intermodal shipping container (e.g., to provide windows or doors, or to open up rooms), will compromise structural integrity. Since windows, doors, and open rooms are practical necessities for habitable buildings, construction of multi-story buildings from intermodal shipping containers requires additional support to carry vertical and lateral loads present in these buildings.
Some parts of intermodal shipping containers are stronger than others. For example, floor frame 62 and corner posts 28 and 38 of container 10 are relatively strong. More particularly:
-
- floor frame 62 of container 10 comprises bottom side rails 46, which are constructed of steel C-channel beams to withstand longitudinal tensile loads, floor joists 68, which are constructed of steel C-channel beams to withstand transverse tensile loads, and bottom end rails 26 and 36, which are constructed of steel box sections; and
- corner posts 28 and 38 are constructed from steel C-channel sections closed with welded steel plate.
Some embodiments of the invention provide volumetric construction modules adapted to integrate the relatively strong parts of container 10 into composite structural members (e.g., columns, beams, slabs and diaphragms). Example embodiments of volumetric construction modules and buildings constructed therefrom using containers such as container 10 are described below. It is to be understood that the features and techniques disclosed herein could also be applied to other types of containers or other types of volumetric construction modules.
-
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of module 100;FIG. 4 is an isometric view of panel sections of the module 100;FIG. 4A is a detail isometric view of an angle member installed on a removable panel section of module 100;FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of module 100;FIG. 6 is a top plan view of module 100;FIG. 7A is an opening end elevation view of module 100; andFIG. 7B is a closed end elevation view of module 100.
Module 100 comprises parts of an intermodal shipping container. Those parts are identified using the same reference numerals used to identify like parts of container 10, and are not described again here. Like container 10, module 100 is laterally symmetric. For convenience, laterally symmetric features of module 100 are described generally with reference to reference numbers indicating these features on the lateral side of module 100 whose outward surface is visible in
Module 100 comprises frame 12. A first opening 22A is defined by opening end frame 22, which in container 10 was selectively closable with doors 52. A second opening 32A defined by closed end frame 32, which in container 10 was closed by closed panel 54.
Module 100 comprises opposed side openings 102. Openings 102 are defined in part by panel sections 128 and 138 located on the sides 40 of module 100 adjacent the opening end 20 and closed end 30, respectively, of module 100. The top and bottom sides of panel sections 128 and 138 are attached, respectively, to top side rail 44 and bottom side rail 46. Panel section 128 is attached along one side to opening end corner post 28. Panel section 138 is attached along one side to closed end corner post 38.
Openings 102 correspond to removable panel sections 104 shown in
-
- protecting the interior of module 100 during pre-fabrication of internal components of module 100 and/or transportation of module 100,
- providing selectable building configurations,
- acting as shoring or formwork during construction of buildings incorporating module 100,
- providing structural reinforcement to other panel sections of module 100 (e.g., by laminating a detachable panel section onto another panel section coupled to frame 12 by welding, heat bonding, adhesive, mechanical connection and/or other suitable laminating techniques),
- using them as a slab soffit for a composite concrete slab extending between container modules,
- and
- the like.
In
Module 100 comprises a plurality of shear connectors 110 coupled to frame 12. As described in further detail below, shear connectors 110 may facilitate integration of module 100 and components thereof into composite structural members. In the illustrated embodiment, arrangement of shear connectors 110 is laterally symmetric, but this is not necessary.
Sides 40 of module 100 comprises shear connector arrays 112O and 112C. Shear connector arrays 112O and 112C each extend between adjacent corners of frame 12. Shear connector arrays 112O and 112C are adjacent opening end 20 and closed end 30, respectively, of module 100. In the illustrated embodiment, shear connector arrays 112O and 112C comprise outwardly projecting shear connectors 110 arrayed on panel sections 128 and 138, respectively. More particularly, arrays 112O and 112C each comprise a plurality (3) of vertical columns of spaced apart, laterally-extending headed steel shear studs. In array 112O, the shear studs 110 of the outward vertical column are rigidly connected to opening end corner post 28, through panel section 128, and the shear studs 110 of the inward vertical columns are rigidly connected to panel section 128. Similarly, in array 112C, the shear studs 110 of the outward vertical column are rigidly connected to closed end corner post 38, through panel section 138, and the shear studs 110 of the inward vertical columns are rigidly connected to panel section 138.
Sides 40 of module 100 also comprise shear connector arrays 114. Each shear connector array 114 comprises outwardly projecting shear connectors 110 adjacent the bottom of module 100. In the illustrated embodiment, each array 114 comprises a single row of spaced apart, laterally-extending headed steel shear studs. The shear studs 110 of arrays 114 are rigidly connected to bottom side rails 46.
The angular section at the top face 50 of module 100 comprises a shear connector array 116. Shear connector array 116 comprises outwardly projecting shear connectors 110 adjacent the top of opening end opening 22A. More particularly, array 116 comprises a single row of spaced apart headed steel shear studs welded to the angular portion. The shear studs 110 of array 116 are rigidly connected to top opening end rail 24.
Opening end 20 of module 100 comprises a shear connector array 118O. Shear connector array 118O comprises outwardly projecting shear connectors 110 adjacent the bottom of first opening 22A. In the illustrated embodiment, array 118O comprises a single row of spaced apart headed steel shear studs. The shear studs 110 of array 118O are rigidly connected to opening end bottom rail 26. In some embodiments, module 100 may not have shear connector array 118O (e.g., in embodiments where opening end 20 of module 100 forms part of an outward face of a building).
Closed end 30 of module 100 comprises a shear connector array 118C. Shear connector array 118C comprises outwardly projecting shear connectors 110 adjacent the bottom of second opening 32A. In the illustrated embodiment, array 118C comprises a single row of spaced apart headed steel shear studs. The shear studs 110 of array 118C are rigidly connected to closed end bottom rail 36. Shear connector arrays 118O and 118C may be referred to interchangeably or collectively herein as shear connector arrays 118.
Though shear connectors 100 in the illustrated embodiment comprise headed steel shear studs, in other embodiments any suitable type (or combination of types) of shear connectors may be provided. Non-limiting examples of other types of shear connectors that may be used in embodiments include:
shear bolts;
deformed bar anchors;
ties, threaded rods or bolts fastened to opposing members with nuts;
perforated, oscillated, waveform and profiled strips,
T connectors,
Hilti□ HVB connectors;
Hambro□ top cord elements; and
the like.
A row or column of shear connector arrays 112O, 112C, 114 116 and/or 118 may comprise as few as one shear connector. For example, in some embodiments, arrays 112O and 112C each comprise three parallel, spaced apart, vertically-oriented strip-type shear connectors. In some embodiments, a few as one shear connector may extend between adjacent corners of frame 12. For example, array 114, 116 and/or array 118 may comprise a single strip-type shear connector that extends between adjacent corners of frame 12. Though arrays 112O, 112C, 114, 116 and 118 of the illustrated embodiment comprise rectangular arrays, this is not necessary. Arrays of shear connectors need not exhibit regular spacing between adjacent shear connectors, and may comprise rows and/or columns having different numbers of (and different types of) shear connectors. Arrays of shear connectors may exhibit other geometric patterns, such as triangles, diamonds, arcs, circles and the like, for example.
In some embodiments, at least some shear connectors are arranged on module 100 to be staggered with respect to counterpart shear connectors located on an opposite side or end of module 100. This may enable shear connectors of laterally adjacent modules 100 to pass each other in overlapping fashion when the modules 100 are placed in close laterally adjacent relation.
As will become more apparent from the discussion below, the type, dimensions arrangement, and spacing of shear connectors may be selected to provide a desired degree of composite action between module 100 and a curable material integrated with the shear connectors. In some embodiments, shear connectors may be located in different locations than in the example embodiment illustrated by module 100. For example, one or more structural members of module 100 that have shear connectors attached to them may not have shear connectors attached to them in other embodiments. In some embodiments, shear connectors may be attached to structural members of a volumetric construction module that do not have shear connectors in module 100 (e.g., adjacent the top of closed end opening 32A, across top panel 58, on joists 68, etc.).
Shear connectors 110 may be rigidly connected to parts of module 100 using any suitable type of connection, such as welding, mechanical connection (e.g., captive threaded, nut-retained threaded, riveted, interlocking tab and slot, twist-lock, etc.), adhesive, heat bonding, or the like, for example. In some embodiments, shear connectors 110 may be configured to be installed on module 100 on-site. For example, structural members of module 100 (such as corner posts 28 and 38, and bottom side rails 46, for example) may comprise mechanical fastener components (e.g., holes, threaded apertures, slots, etc.) configured to mate with cooperating fastener components provided on shear connectors 110 (e.g., matched studs, threaded studs, notched tabs, etc.). In a particular example embodiment, shear connectors 110 comprise Nelson□ weld studs manufactured by Nelson Stud Welding, and may be installed by a drawn arc stud welding process, such as with a Nelson□ Ferrule Shooter.
Some embodiments of the invention comprise one or more components that facilitate the interconnection of modules 100, the integration of modules 100 into composite structural members, and/or the creation of a volumetric space between laterally aligned modules 100.
Column closure member 160 comprises a steel C channel section 162 having a plurality of shear connectors 164 projecting opposite the web of channel section 162. Shear connectors 164 may be arranged on channel section 162 so that shear connectors 164 of closure member 160 are staggered with respect to those of an inverted closure member 160. This may enable shear connectors 164 of closure members 160 having complementary orientations (i.e., one inverted, one not inverted) to pass each other in overlapping fashion when the closure members 160 are placed in close opposition.
In the illustrated embodiments, shear connectors of column closures 150 and 160, diaphragm anchoring plate 170 and spacer 180 comprise headed steel shear studs, but any other suitable type (or combination of types) of shear connector may be used instead of or in addition to headed steel shear studs.
-
- volumetric construction module 100;
- a plurality of column closure members 150 and 160 (individually identified in
FIG. 12 as column closure members 150O, 150C, 160O and 160C); - a beam soffit member 170;
- a plurality of spacers 180 (individually identified in
FIG. 12 as spacers 180O and 180C); and - a plurality of slab edge form members 190 (individually identified in
FIG. 12 as slab edge form members 190O and 190C).
For convenience, features of the aforementioned components are identified using the same reference numerals as in their descriptions.
In assembly 200, column closure members 150O and 160O are generally perpendicular to and abut opposite edges of panel section 128 to close vertically-extending sides of opening end column volume 228. In like fashion column closure members 150C and 160C are generally perpendicular to and abut opposite edges of panel section 138 to close vertically-extending sides of closed end column volume 238. As described in further detail below, the open vertically-extending sides of column volumes 228 and 238 (opposite panel sections 128 and 138, respectively) may be closed by an adjacent volumetric construction module or another column closure member, so that column volumes 228 and 238 are laterally enclosed.
Column closure members 160O and 160C also close vertically-extending front and rear ends, respectively of a beam volume 246. One vertically-extending side of beam volume 260 is closed by bottom side rail 46. As described in further detail below, the other vertically-extending side of beam volume 246 (opposite bottom side rail 46) may be partially closed by an adjacent volumetric construction module or another beam closure member, so that beam volume 246 is laterally enclosed.
Opening end slab edge form member 190O and opening end spacer 180O form a wall that closes the vertically-extending side of slab volume 260 below opening end 20 of module 100. Closed end slab edge form member 190C and closed end spacer 180C and form a wall that closes the vertically-extending side of slab volume 260 below closed end 30 of module 100. One projection (not visible in
Beam soffit member 170 is below and spaced apart from bottom side rail 46 and closes a portion of the bottom side of a slab volume 260. More particularly, plate 172 of beam soffit member 170 is level with the bottoms of spacers 180O and 180C. The ends of beam soffit member 170 are aligned with column closure members 150O and 150C. Shear connectors 174 of beam soffit member 170 extend through slab volume 260 into beam volume 246.
It may be observed from
column volume 228 is closed on:
-
- a first side by C-channel beam 162 of column closure member 160O and includes shear connectors 164 that project therefrom,
- a second side by C-channel beam 152 of column closure member 150O and includes shear connectors 154 that project therefrom, and
- a third side by panel section 128 and includes shear connectors 110 of array 112O that project therefrom; and
column volume 238 is closed on:
-
- a first side by C-channel beam 152 of column closure member 150C and includes shear connectors 152 that project therefrom,
- a second side by C-channel beam 162 of column closure member 160C and includes shear connectors 164 that project therefrom, and
- a third side by panel section 138 and includes shear connectors 110 of array 112C that project therefrom.
When the vertically extending outward sides of column volumes 228 and 238 are closed by posts and/or panels of a laterally adjacent module and/or other closure members, all vertically-extending sides of each of column volumes 228 and 238 are closed and the volumes are accordingly laterally enclosed.
It may also be observed from
-
- shear connectors 110 of shear connector array 114 on bottom side rail 46 project into column volumes 228 and 238 and beam volume 246;
- spacers 180O and 180R have shear connectors 186 that project into column volumes 228 and 238 and shear connectors 188 that project into slab volume 260; and
- shear connectors 174 of beam soffit member 170 extend through slab volume 260 into beam volume 246.
Step 302 of method 300 comprises enclosing a slab volume. A slab volume enclosed in step 302 may be defined in part by the roofs of the volumetric construction modules (e.g., volumetric construction module 100), for example. Or the slab soffit may be enclosed by a repurposed corrugated panel from the wall of a shipping container. In the illustrated embodiment, step 302 comprises enclosing a slab volume defined in part by the roofs of volumetric construction modules in spaced laterally adjacent relation, and includes steps 304 and 306.
Step 304 comprises enclosing lateral sides of the slab volume. Enclosing lateral sides of a slab volume may comprise installing spacers 180 and slab edge closures 190 above the top rails of a single module, or above the perimeter top rails of a plurality of adjacent modules, for example.
Step 306 comprises enclosing the space between upper portions of the adjacent sides of laterally adjacent modules.
Step 308 comprises introducing curable material, such as concrete, for example, to the slab volume enclosed in step 302.
Step 310 of method 300 comprises providing two modules in spaced laterally adjacent relation, each module having one or more shear connectors extending toward the other module. This is illustrated in
Step 312 of method 300 comprises enclosing vertically-extending sides of one or more volumes between the modules provided in step 310, which volume(s) includes one or more shear connectors of the modules. In the illustrated embodiment, step 312 comprises steps 314 and 316.
Step 314 comprises laterally enclosing a beam volume. In some embodiments, step 314 comprises closing vertically extending sides of a beam volume whose other vertically extending sides are defined by bottom side rails 46. For example, step 314 may comprise installing column closure members, such as members 160, for example, between adjacent modules 100. The differences between beam volume 446BC and beam volume 446AB exemplify step 314. Beam volume 446BC is closed on two of its vertically extending sides by adjacent bottom side rails of modules 400B and 400C, but is open on its other vertically-extending sides. Beam volume 446AB is closed on two of its vertically-extending sides by adjacent bottom side rails of modules 400A and 400B and closed another of its other vertically-extending sides by column closure member 160AB. The remaining vertically extending side of beam volume 446AB is closed by a column closure member not visible in the view shown in
It will be appreciated that where step 310 comprises providing two modules in spaced laterally adjacent relation above a slab (e.g., a slab formed in step 308), the slab may close a bottom side of a beam volume between the modules (e.g., in
Step 316 comprises laterally enclosing one or more column volumes. In some embodiments, step 316 comprises closing vertically extending sides of a column volume. For example, step 316 may comprise installing column closure members, such as members 150 and 160, for example, between adjacent modules. The differences between column volume 428BC and column volume 428AB exemplify step 316. Column volume 428BC has two vertically-extending sides closed by opposed panel sections 128 of modules 400B and 400C, and includes shear connector arrays 112O of modules 400B and 400C. The other two vertically-extending sides of column volume 428BC are open. Column volume 428AB has two vertically-extending sides closed by opposed panel sections 128 of modules 400A and 400B, and includes shear connector arrays of modules 400A and 400B (not visible in
In some embodiments, steps 310, 312, 314 and/or 316 may be combined. For example, column closure members may be attached to a first module before the module is placed in spaced laterally adjacent relation with a second module. For another example, installing column closures 316 may simultaneously constitute all or part of both steps 314 and 316.
Step 318 comprises introducing curable material, such as concrete, for example, into a laterally-enclosed volume between the modules placed in laterally adjacent relation in step 310. In the illustrated embodiment, step 318 comprises steps 320 and 322.
Step 320 comprises introducing curable material to a beam volume enclosed in step 314.
Step 322 comprises introducing curable material, such as concrete, for example, to a column volume enclosed in step 316.
-
- column volume 428AB, which is located between the opposed panel sections 128 of modules 400A and 400B, is laterally enclosed and filled with concrete (concrete not visible in
FIG. 14 ) to form a composite column 402AB, - column volume 428D, which closed on all but one of its vertically extending sides by panel 128 of module 400D (this panel not visible in
FIG. 14 ) and column closure members 150DO and 160DO, is filled with concrete visible through an open side of volume 428D to form a composite column 402D, and - column volume 438D, which is closed on all but one of its vertically extending sides by panel 138 of module 400D (this panel not visible in
FIG. 14 ) and column closure members 150DC and 160DC, is filled with concrete visible through an open side of volume 438D to form a composite column 403D.
- column volume 428AB, which is located between the opposed panel sections 128 of modules 400A and 400B, is laterally enclosed and filled with concrete (concrete not visible in
It will be appreciated that the open sides of column volumes 428D and 438D are open for illustrative purposes, and would ordinarily be closed on their remaining vertically-extending sides, such as by panel sections 128 and 138, respectively, of a module laterally adjacent to module 400D. The concrete of columns 402D and 403D may have been formed according to step 322 by introducing concrete to the forms defined by the components closing the vertically-extending sides of columns 402D and 403D.
In some embodiments, two or more of steps 308, 318, 320 and 322 are combined. For example, curable material forming a slab and a beam may be introduced after the upper modules 100 whose bottom side rails 46 define the beam volume have been placed above the slab volume. In such embodiments, the bottom of floor frame 62 of the module 100 above the slab may be left open to permit curable material to enter the space between floor joists 68, or it may be closed (in whole or in part) to prevent curable material from filling (at least some of) the space in floor frame 62. In some embodiments, concrete is introduced into forklift pockets 72 and/or between pairs of joists 68 (such as through holes defined in a bottom side rail 46 and/or floor panel 70) to form transverse beams. In some such embodiments, slabs may not be provided between floors of the building (e.g., transverse beams acting in composite with the module floor may alone provide sufficient strength in the diaphragm to carry lateral forces to shear walls). In some embodiments, curable material is introduced between modules in step 318 to form continuous walls (e.g., detachable panel sections 104 may not be removed from modules 100).
As the arrangement of modules 400A, 400B and 400C in
Method 300 may be repeated to construct higher floors of a building. Where this is done, step 310 may comprise placing modules 100 of an upper floor above the modules of an immediately lower floor (e.g., in the manner of module 400D above module 400A). In some embodiments, an upper module may be mounted above a lower module so that the orifices 16 of the upper module lower corner fittings 14 receive the projections of spacers mated with the orifices 16 of corresponding upper corner fittings 14 of the lower module.
Advantageously, the use of spacers 180 to separate vertically adjacent modules may permit method 300 to be repeated for a higher floor without waiting for the concrete poured in the lower floor to cure. In multi-story reinforced concrete construction, the usual practice is to shore a freshly placed floor on a previously cast floor. The sequence and rate of erection is governed by the loads placed on the supporting floor(s) by the weight of the wet concrete and formwork, and by the time required to allow the concrete to cure, remove formwork and shoring from the cured concrete and then reinstall the formwork and shoring for the next floor. Method 300 may be performed in a manner that eliminates at least some of these delays. For example, where spacers 180 placed on the top corner fittings 14 of the lower modules 100 are at least equal in height to the depth of a slab to be poured over the roofs of the lower modules 100, the next, higher floor of modules 100 may be installed and concrete for that floor poured without shoring before the concrete of the lower floor has completely cured, since the spacer 180 will transfer the weight of the upper modules 100 to the lower modules 100 without putting pressure on the slab in an early stage of curing.
-
- a bottom that includes plate 172 of beam soffit member 170, and top panels 58 and top opening end rails 24 of modules 500A and 500B;
- a middle that includes shear connectors 174 of beam soffit member 170, shear connector arrays 116 of modules 500A and 500B, and composite slab 506; and
- a top of that includes beam 504 and floors 60 of modules 500C and 500D (floors 60 and beam 504 being structurally integrated by opposed shear connector arrays 114 on adjacent bottom side rails 46 of modules 500C and 500D).
Diaphragm 508 may also be seen as including a grid of composite beams that span the full height of diaphragm 508. The beams □cross-sections are defined in part by beam soffit members 170 and bottom side rails 46, and the beams include the full lengths of shear connectors 174 of beam soffit members 170. Under gravity loads, plates 172 of beam soffit member 170 acts as tension flanges of the beams, while bottom side rails 46 and the concrete encasing shear connectors 174 act as compression members.
The layers of diaphragm 508 are anchored to one another by shear connectors. In particular, shear connector arrays 116 of modules 500A and 500B are embedded in composite slab 506 to anchor the bottom of diaphragm 508 to the middle of diaphragm 508, and shear connectors 174 of beam soffit member 170 anchor the bottom, middle and top of diaphragm 508 together. Anchored as such, the top of diaphragm 508, which includes bottom side rails 46, floor joists 68 and plywood panels 70 of modules 500C and 500D, provides ductile strength against lateral loads and the middle and bottom of diaphragm 508 (e.g., concrete slab 506 and top panels 58) provide rigidity. Advantageously, diaphragm 508 provides this combination of ductile strength and rigidity in a shallow floor section and with a beam structure in the same plane as the floors 60 of modules 100. In some embodiments, diaphragm 508 is structurally connected to a building core (e.g., see building 1000 of
The encasement of concrete by steel plates in columns 502 and beam 504 provides advantages over conventional reinforced concrete. In a conventional reinforced concrete column or beam the concrete is retained by embedded steel rebar stirrups closely spaced along steel rebar. When a reinforced concrete column or beam is loaded to failure the concrete spalls away from the rebar stirrups, the rebar bends and the column or beam fails. By contrast, in an encased composite concrete column or beam, ductile steel, which is well adapted to withstand lateral tensile loads (such as occur during seismic event), is provided on the exterior of rigid concrete, which is well adapted to withstand vertical compressive loads. When the column or beam concrete is loaded to failure, it is confined by the steel confining it and will continue to carry compressive loads even as it begins to fail. An additional advantage is provided by anchoring the encasing steel plate to the confined concrete with shear connectors. This anchoring arrangement holds the steel encasement flush against the envelope of the concrete, and thereby provides additional resistance to buckling.
The strength of the encasement of columns and beams in method 300 will depend on the strength of the connection between the members that form the encasement. In some embodiments, members that form encasements are continuously bonded at their adjacent edges, such as by welding, adhesive or the like, to provide additional strength to columns. In some embodiments, members are joined at spaced apart locations (i.e., non-continuously), such as by tack welds, adhesives and/or mechanical connection, for example. In some embodiments, members are not permanently joined, and clamps or other devices are used to hold the members together while the curable material they contain has not cured.
In some embodiments, ties or stringers may be installed between opposed encasing members. For example, stringers may be welded between the opposed surfaces of adjacent panels 128 and 138 and/or between opposed column members 150 and 160. For another example, a tie comprising a headed bolt with a threaded shank may be inserted through matched holes on opposed encasing members, so that the head and the end of the shank are on the outsides of the opposed members, and a nut threaded on the end of the shank to prevent the members from moving laterally apart from each other. Ties and/or stringers installed between opposed encasing members may function as both shear connectors and encasement reinforcement.
Many variations on the construction of column 502, beam 504, slab 506, diaphragm 508 and the interconnection of column 502 and beam 504 are possible. The particular construction of the column, beam, slab and diaphragm and interconnection between column and beam shown in
-
- volumetric construction module 100;
- a plurality of column closure members 950 and 960 (individually identified in
FIG. 22 as column closure members 950O, 950C, 960O and 960C), each of which is identical to column closure member 150; - a beam soffit member 970, which is a shorter version of beam soffit member 170; and
- a plurality of spacers 980
Assembly 900 also comprises components of assembly 200, which are not described again here. For convenience, features of the aforementioned components are identified using the same reference numerals as in their descriptions above, and are not described again here.
In assembly 900, column closure members 950O and 950C are generally perpendicular to and abut inward edges of panel sections 128 and 138, respectively. Column closure members 960O and 960C are generally parallel to and abut outward edges of panel sections 128 and 138, respectively. Column closure members 950O and 960O close vertically-extending sides of opening end column volume 928. In like fashion column closure members 950C and 960C close vertically-extending sides of closed end column volume 938. The open vertically-extending sides of column volumes 928 (opposite panel section 128 and column closure member 960O) and 938 (opposite panel section 138 and column closure member 960C) may be closed by an adjacent volumetric construction module or another column closure member, so that column volumes 928 and 938 are laterally enclosed.
Column closure member 960O extends above a beam volume 946. One vertically-extending side of beam volume 946 is closed by opening end bottom rail 26. Beam volume 946 includes shear connector array 118O, which projects from rail 26. The vertically-extending side of beam volume 946 opposite rail 26 may be closed, such as by a bottom rail of another module (e.g., an end bottom rail of a module in end-adjacent relation with module 100 of assembly 900, etc.). A beam soffit member 970 is below and spaced apart from opening end bottom rail 26. One end of beam soffit member 970 is aligned with column closure members 960O. Shear connectors 974 of beam soffit member 970 extend into beam volume 946. It will be appreciated that beam volume 946 is continuous with beam volume 246 defined by assembly 200 (see
The first floor of assembly 400 □also comprises an expansion space 450A □in a side-by-side arrangement between modules 400A □and 400B □, and an expansion space 450B □in a side-by-side arrangement between modules 400C □and 400D □. Expansion spaces 450A □and 450B □are illustrated with a width equal to that of the modules. In other embodiments expansion spaces 450A □and 450B □may be narrower or wider than the modules. An expansion space provides assembly 400 □with additional interior space at a lower cost than adding a module. Expansion spaces may for example be provided in sections of assembly 400 □where structural requirements can be met without the need for adding modules.
In other embodiments, expansion spaces may be provided in an end-to-end arrangement between modules, for example as shown in close up in
As shown in
Construction method 300 □as illustrated in
-
- step 304 □□ where the perimeter of an assembly includes one or more expansion spaces, enclosing the lateral sides of a slab volume may additionally comprise installing slab edge closures 190 above the perimeter edges of panel expansion members. When an expansion space is adjacent a module and there are no other adjacent modules, then a spacer 980 instead of a spacer 180 may be installed on the top orifice of the corner fitting of the module to allow vertical stacking of additional modules.
- step 306 □□ panel expansion members of expansion spaces are sized so that their side edges abut the top panel edges of laterally adjacent modules so no additional bridging is necessary. See for example the arrangement of panel expansion member 475 □and top panels 58 in
FIG. 24A . - step 308 □□ the composite slab may alternatively or additionally span the roofs of modules and expansion spaces. The composite concrete slab may additionally comprise shear connectors of panel expansion members. The curable material of the composite concrete slab conforms to the corrugated top panels of the modules and the corrugated top surface of panel expansion members of the expansion spaces. See for example in
FIGS. 24A , 26 and 27 the integration of the shear connectors of panel expansion members 475 □with slab 406 □. In some embodiments, curable material introduced to a slab volume may be further integrated with the panel expansion members in order to engage the steel of the expansion spaces in composite action, such as with adhesive, embosses, shear connectors, welded wire mesh and/or the like. - step 310 □□ this step may alternatively or additionally comprise providing an expansion space between two laterally aligned modules, as shown for example in
FIG. 25 . Step 310 □therefore can comprise spanning top side rails of laterally aligned and spaced apart modules with a panel expansion member, and installing between the bottom side rails of the modules a supplemental floor frame, to define an expansion space. Instead of the side-by-side configuration shown inFIG. 25 , an expansion space may be provided in an end-to-end configuration, as partially shown inFIG. 27 and described above. Orifices of corner fittings of modules adjacent an expansion space would be placed on projections of spacers 180 or 980 of previously placed modules or onto projections installed in a foundation or the like, for example. - step 312 □□ this step may alternatively or additionally comprise enclosing vertically-extending sides of one or more volumes between modules and expansion spaces.
- step 314 □□ laterally enclosing a beam volume may alternatively or additionally comprise closing vertically extending sides defined on one side by a bottom side rail or bottom end rail of a module and on the other side by a bottom side rail or bottom end rail of a supplemental floor frame of an expansion space. The ends of the beam volume may be closed by formworks for a column instead of a column closure member as in step 314. Where a slab closes a bottom side of a beam volume between a module and expansion space (e.g. in
FIG. 24A , the top of composite slab 406 □is level with the bottoms of the bottom side rail of second floor module 400F □and the bottom side rail of supplemental floor frame of second floor expansion space 450D □), step 314 □would include comprise closing vertically extending sides of a beam volume that includes shear connectors of panel expansion member 475 □extending through the top of slab 406 □into the beam volume. This is shown with long (i.e., side) beam volume 446 □inFIG. 26 and short (i.e., end) beam volume 447 □inFIG. 27 . - step 316 □□ laterally enclosing a column volume may alternatively or additionally comprise temporarily positioning formworks along one, two, three or all four vertically extending sides of a column of an assembly. For example,
FIG. 25 illustrates formworks 480 □temporarily positioned on two sides of each of the four columns illustrated. Formworks 480 □for the other two sides (i.e., the ends) are not shown. Each column also comprises column reinforcement member 465 □. In some embodiments column reinforcement members 465 □are bolted with shear bolts to corner posts of the modules. Example configurations of column reinforcement members with shear connectors of the module corner posts within the columns are shown inFIGS. 35-37 and 40. - step 318 □—this step comprises introducing curable material, such as concrete, for example, into a laterally-enclosed slab volume between the modules and expansion spaces placed in laterally adjacent relation in step 310 □.
- step 320 □□ this step comprises introducing curable material, such as concrete, to a beam volume enclosed in step 314 □. Beam 446 □and 447 □in
FIGS. 26 and 27 are examples of cured beam volumes. - step 322 □□ this step comprises introducing curable material, such as concrete, to a column volume enclosed in step 316 □. Column 402 in
FIGS. 24 and 24A are examples of cured column volumes. - step 324 □□ formworks and shoring are removed once curing material has cured.
Method 300 □may be repeated to construct higher floors of a building. Where this is done, step 310 □may comprise placing modules 100 of an upper floor above the modules of an immediately lower floor (e.g., in the manner of module 400 □above module 400A □) and placing expansion spaces of an upper floor above expansion spaces of an immediately lower floor (e.g. in the manner of expansion space 450C □above expansion space 450A □). In some embodiments, an upper module may be mounted above a lower module so that the orifices 16 of the upper module □s lower corner fittings 14 receive the projections of spacers mated with the orifices 16 of corresponding upper corner fittings 14 of the lower module.
Hallways 1210 comprise hall modules 1212 in spaced end-wise adjacent relation. Hall modules 1212 comprise frames of 20 foot intermodal shipping containers.
Studio apartments 1220 comprise pairs of long side adjacent room modules 1222. Room modules 1222 comprise frames of 20 foot intermodal shipping containers. Room modules 1222 of each apartment 1220 are connected by openings 1224. Dividing walls 1226 are provided between pairs of room modules 1222. Dividing walls 1226 may be formed by introducing curable material between opposed closed sides of adjacent modules room modules 1222 of adjacent apartments 1220. Envelope walls 1228 are provided at the exterior sides and ends of room modules 1222.
In each studio apartment 1220, curtain walls 1230 are installed to create a bathroom and kitchen space and doors 1232 are fitted in openings of interior walls 1214 for entry from hallway 1210 to open living spaces of apartments 1220.
Building core 1240 comprises three core units 1244, 1246 and 1248. First core unit 1244 comprises four upright core modules 1242A in spaced laterally adjacent relation. Core modules 1242A comprise the frames of 20 foot intermodal shipping containers. Second core unit 1246 and third core unit 1248 each comprise a core module 1242B. Each core module 1242B comprises the frame of a 40 foot intermodal shipping container. Second core unit 1246 and third core unit 1248 confine opposite sides of first core unit 1244.
Core walls 1002 are provided between core units 1244, 1246 and 1248, and on the outward sides of core units 1244, 1246 and 1248. Core walls may be made more robust, such as by increasing their thickness, installing rebar mats, providing shear connectors or bolts between panels of core modules 1242 (e.g., by covering an entire side panel with shear connectors), and/or laminating additional panels (e.g., detachable panel sections removed from room modules 1222) onto them, for example.
Core modules 1242B of second core unit 1246 and third core unit 1248 are provided with top and bottom openings. In second core unit 1246, elevator shafts 1254 are provided through these openings. In third core unit 1248, stairwells 1256 are provided in these openings.
It will be appreciated that the variety of configurations in which shear connectors may be provided on modules, closure components, and expansion space components (e.g. panel expansion members and supplemental floor frames), combined with the variety of configurations in which modules, expansion space components, closure components, and reinforcement members may be arranged provides virtually limitless freedom in the design of composite structure components.
Corner posts 1410 partially laterally enclose a volume 1420. Curable material is not shown in volume 1420 in order to avoid obscuring features of column 1400. The lateral sides of volume 1420 not enclosed by corner posts 1410 are enclosed by column closure members (individually enumerated as 1430A, 1430B, 1430C and 1430D, referred to collectively herein as column closure members 1430). Each of column closure members 1430 has a plurality of shear connectors 1432 extending from one of its major sides. In
-
- shear connectors 1432 of column closure member 1430A overlap at right angles the shear connectors 1412 of shear connector arrays of corner posts 1410A and 1410B, which are bridged by column closure member 1430A; and
- shear connectors 1432 of column closure member 1430D overlap at right angles to the shear connectors 1412 of shear connector arrays of corner posts 1410C and 1410D, which are bridged by column closure member 1430D.
In
Corner posts 1510 partially laterally enclose a volume 1520. Curable material is not shown in volume 1520 in order to avoid obscuring features of column 1500. The lateral sides of volume 1520 not enclosed by corner posts 1510 are enclosed by column closure members (individually enumerated as 1530A, 1530B, 1530C and 1530D, referred to collectively herein as column closure members 1530). Each of column closure members 1530 has a plurality of shear connectors 1532 extending from one of its major sides. In
-
- shear connectors 1532 of column closure member 1530A overlap at right angles the shear connectors 1512 of shear connector arrays of corner posts 1510A and 1510B, which are bridged by column closure member 1530A;
- shear connectors 1532 of column closure member 1530B overlap at right angles the shear connectors 1512 of shear connector arrays of corner posts 1510A and 1510D, which are bridged by column closure member 1530B;
- shear connectors 1532 of column closure member 1530C overlap at right angles the shear connectors 1512 of shear connector arrays of corner posts 1510B and 1510D, which are bridged by column closure member 1530B; and
- shear connectors 1532 of column closure member 1530D overlap at right angles the shear connectors 1512 of shear connector arrays of corner posts 1510C and 1510D, which are bridged by column closure member 1530D.
Corner posts 1610 partially laterally enclose a volume 1620. Curable material is not shown in volume 1620 in order to avoid obscuring features of column 1600. The lateral sides of volume 1620 not enclosed by corner posts 1610 are enclosed by column closure members (individually enumerated as 1630A, 1630B and 1630C, referred to collectively herein as column closure members 1630) and laminated panel section 1640. Each of column closure members 1630 has a plurality of shear connectors 1632 extending from one of its major sides. Laminated panel section 1640 comprises two panel sections 1640A and 1640B which have been laminated together. A plurality of shear connectors 1642 extend from one side of panel section 1640.
In
-
- shear connectors 1632 of column closure member 1630A overlap at right angles the shear connectors 1612 of shear connector arrays of corner posts 1610A and 1610B, which are bridged by column closure member 1630A; and
- shear connectors 1632 of column closure member 1630B overlap at right angles to the shear connectors 1612 of a shear connector array of corner post 1610A; and
- shear connectors 1632 of column closure member 1630C overlap at right angles to the shear connectors 1612 of a shear connector array of corner post 1610B.
In
-
- shear connectors 1642 of panel section 1640 pass by shear connectors 1612 of opposed shear connector arrays of corner posts 1610 in overlapping fashion; and
- shear connectors 1642 of panel section 1640 pass by shear connectors 1632 of the opposed shear connector array of column closure member 1630A in overlapping fashion.
The structural capacity of any building □s design is highly influenced by its □weight and aspect ratio; further, modern building codes dictate standards for seismic resistance based on probability and site soil conditions. Most reinforced high rise designs combine core walls with robust beam to column connections to absorb, transfer and dissipate lateral loads, therefore axial and lateral forces are linked through these structures. The modular structural systems described here provides axial load capacity for gravity loads, however, the systems decouple gravity loads and lateral loads. When applied in a traditional architectural schemes as described in this disclosure, the system will have sufficient inherent lateral load capacity to resist moderate wind and seismic loads, however, in areas where the structure is expected to experience high earthquake or wind loads, the system can be augmented to increase the load capacity of the structure by transferring, isolating and/or dissipating lateral forces. There are several methods to deal with this as set out below:
1. Add a seismic force resisting system such as moment frame, shear wall, braced frame, dampers, or base isolation to the structure. Excessive lateral loads can be resisted by adding dedicated shear walls or braced frames to the structure. (The lateral loads will be transferred through the floor diaphragms as lateral forces to the shear walls or braced frames and ultimately to the foundation.
2. Augment the beam to column connections to transfer the moment resulting from the lateral loads to the length of the columns and beams, for example:
a) using gusset plates to create haunches at the beam to column connection and/or
b) adding steel reinforcements within the concrete to make the beam to column connection a moment connection.
3. Add base isolation devices to isolate the structure from the foundation. Dedicated base isolation devices can be used to absorb most of the earthquake energy and limit the lateral forces to be transferred to the modular structural system.
Shear walls are a practical method of combining structural stability, architectural segregation and fire separation between areas of a building and can be employed efficiently in architectural applications such as residential apartments, hospitals, prison cells and the like.
Augmenting the beam to column connections is also a practical seismic solution. It limits the need for walls and provides open plan architectural opportunities but increases the size and weight of the structure which will increase foundation costs.
Base isolation provides the most sustainable opportunity as these buildings are earthquake resistant because lateral forces are absorbed in the isolators rather than by compromising the structure, which is the case for all code prequalified seismic force resisting systems. The modular structural system described here provides a stiff structure which is ideal for base isolation. Buildings of the present invention may accordingly incorporate suitable base isolation systems.
Columns 2200 and 2300 can be implemented in place of column 402 □, shown in
The demonstration of headed studs, shear bolts or shear stirrups as shear connectors across columns is not intended to be limiting in that other methods of providing shear connection across columns may be employed such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer wrap as used in seismic upgrading columns, etc. may be employed to integrate the corner posts of volumetric construction modules in columns.
The capacity of the columns and beams described in
Where a component or feature is referred to above (e.g., container, frame, rail, post, joist, panel, C-channel, plate, module, shear connector, etc.), unless otherwise indicated, reference to that component (including a reference to a “means”) should be interpreted as including as equivalents of that component any component which performs the function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), including components which are not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Where the context permits, words in the above description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
The above detailed description of example embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit this disclosure and claims to the precise forms disclosed above. While specific examples of, and examples for, embodiments are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.
These and other changes can be made to the system in light of the above description. While the above description describes certain examples of the technology, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the technology can be practiced in many ways. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the system should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the system with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the system to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above description section explicitly and restrictively defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the technology encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the technology under the claims.
Particular structural characteristics (e.g., cross-sectional shape, material composition, etc.) ascribed to components (e.g., frames, rails, joists, posts, panels, etc.) of example embodiments described herein are not necessary in all embodiments. Accordingly, components should not be interpreted as being limited to having particular structural characteristics ascribed to them in example embodiments.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific examples of apparatus and methods have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications, alterations, additions and permutations may be made without departing from the practice of the invention. The embodiments described herein are only examples. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain features of embodiments described herein may be used in combination with features of other embodiments described herein, and that embodiments described herein may be practised or implemented without all of the features ascribed to them herein. Such variations on described embodiments that would be apparent to the skilled addressee, including variations comprising mixing and matching of features from different embodiments, are within the scope of this invention.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications are possible in the practice of this invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example:
-
- As an alternative or addition to shear connectors, some embodiments may couple segments (i.e., frame components such as the corner posts, side rails, end rails, etc.) by wrapping them with Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP). FRP may include carbon FRP, glass FRP, and the like.
- Columns, beams, and slabs may be made arbitrarily thick or thin.
- The number of shear connectors shown in the illustrated embodiments is not meant to be specific. The quantity, type, size and the like of shear connectors required may be specific to a particular column or building and the illustrated representation of type and quantity are exemplary only.
- Lengths of column closures and beam soffit members may be varied. For example, a column closure may span two or more vertically arranged modules.
- Vertically adjacent column closures (e.g., enclosing different portions of a column that spans two or more floors of a building) may be joined together, such as by a butt weld, lap joint and/or the like, for example.
- Column closures need not have shear connectors.
- Column closures may have shear connectors projecting from both major sides, such as for integrating end-wise adjacent modules, for example.
- A single column closure may close two or more sides of a column volume. For example, a column closure may comprise an I-beam whose flanges each close an opposite side of a column volume (e.g., similar to I-beam 772).
- Spacers may be configured for aligning and spacing eight adjacent modules (i.e., four corner-adjacent upper modules and four corner adjacent lower modules).
- Spacers need not engage orifices of corner fittings. For example, spacers may be welded to top and/or bottom rails intermediate corners of frames.
- Volumetric construction modules may incorporate parts of intermodal shipping containers of various sizes.
- For example, volumetric construction modules may incorporate parts of intermodal shipping containers having lengths of 12192 mm (40 feet), 2991 mm (10 feet), 9125 mm (30 feet), 13716 mm (45 feet), 14630 mm (48 feet), and 17154 mm (53 feet).
- For another example, volumetric construction modules may incorporate parts of intermodal shipping containers having widths greater than 8 feet.
- For a further example, volumetric construction modules may incorporate parts of standard height intermodal shipping containers having, which are 2591 mm (8 feet 6 inches) high.
- Columns need not be formed at the ends of modules. For example, where a module incorporates a 17154 mm (53 foot) intermodal shipping container frame, structurally strong corner posts will be located approximately 6.5 feet inward from the ends of the module. Shear connectors may be secured to these corner posts, and columns that include these shear connectors formed adjacent to the posts.
- Volumetric construction modules need not incorporate parts of intermodal shipping containers. Components of intermodal shipping containers used in descriptions of example embodiments may be substituted with any functionally equivalent component, feature or combination of components and/or features.
- Volumetric construction modules may comprise corner fittings that, unlike the corner fittings of intermodal shipping containers, are fabricated from sheet steel or the module may have a corner post perforated for ease of interconnection with handling equipment or other modules.
- Modules of different dimensions may be integrated in the same building, on different floors or on the same floor.
- Buildings may comprise modules which differ in one or more of height, length, width and orientation.
- Differences in dimension and/or orientation among modules in a building may be accommodated by dimensional differences among columns, beam and slabs of the building.
- Modules need not have floors and/or top panels.
- Components assembled with example modules in described example embodiments (e.g., column closure members, beam soffit members, edge slab closures, spacers, etc.) may be formed, fabricated or otherwise integrated with the module (e.g., at the factory, on site but before modules are placed in spaced adjacent relation, etc.).
- Components assembled with example modules in described example embodiments may be integrated with one another (e.g., one or more spacers and one or more slab edge closures may be provided as single unit, column closure for enclosing a single column volume may be provided as a single unit, etc.).
- Modules, frames and components may comprise materials other than steel. Non-limiting examples of other suitable materials include:
- metals other than steel;
- wood;
- engineered wood composites (e.g., comprising wood fibre and adhesives, etc.);
- carbon fibre composites;
- plastics; and
- the like.
- Curable materials other than concrete may be introduced into the structural volumes (e.g., to form composite columns, beams and/or slabs). Examples of other suitable curable materials include fibre reinforced polymers, magnesia cement based materials (e.g., concrete made with magnesium silicate cement, such as Carbon Negative Cement made by Novacem Limited of London, United Kingdom), and the like. In some embodiments, shear connectors are not used where high-strength curable materials such as Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) or high strength concrete (e.g. concrete reinforced with steel filings) are used and temporary formwork used to encase the segments (i.e., corner posts, side rails, etc.) with these curable materials.
- Fire rating material, such as intumescent paint, furring and gypsum board sprayed insulation or the like, for example, may be provided to protect the exposed structural steel in volumetric construction modules from heat due to fire.
- Volumetric construction modules of the present invention may be adapted to augment any building structure to provide pre-manufactured highly finished areas. For example, volumetric construction modules containing kitchens and bathrooms may be stacked floor by floor and form a portion of the building structure in a high rise reinforced concrete building and the modules can be spaced vertically to match the story elevations floor to floor.
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
Claims
1. A method of modular building construction comprising:
- (a) providing a first volumetric construction module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment;
- (b) defining a volume of a composite segment and integrating the first segment with the volume; and
- (c) filling the volume with a curable material to cast the composite segment.
2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising prior to step (b), step (a)(i) comprising providing a structure adjacent the first volumetric construction module, the adjacent structure comprising a second segment, and wherein step (b) comprising integrating the first segment and the second segment with the volume.
3. A method according to claim 2, wherein in step (b) the volume contains at least a portion of the first and second segments.
4. A method according to claim 3, wherein step (b) comprises defining a boundary of the volume with temporary formwork.
5. A method according to claim 2, wherein step (b) comprises defining at least a portion of the boundary of the volume with the first and second segments.
6. A method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the adjacent structure comprises a second volumetric construction module comprising a frame including the second segment.
7. A method according to claim 6, comprising prior to step (b), step (a)(ii) comprising augmenting structural capacity of the composite segment.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein step (a)(ii) comprises coupling the first segment and/or the second segment to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein step (a)(ii) further comprises coupling a column reinforcement member to the plurality of shear connectors.
10. A method according to claim 7 wherein step (a)(ii) comprises providing a column closure member opposite to the first segment and/or the second segment, the column closure member defining a portion of the boundary of the volume.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the column closure member is coupled to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume.
12. A method according to claim 7 wherein step (a)(ii) comprises providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, the first and second reinforcement elements extending in transverse planes with respect to each other.
13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the first reinforcement elements comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements comprise rebar stirrups.
14. A method according to claim 8 wherein step (a)(ii) further comprises providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, wherein the second reinforcement elements engage the shear connectors.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the first reinforcement elements comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements comprise rebar stirrups.
16. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 15 wherein each of the first and second volumetric construction modules has an opening defined in its side that faces the other module, and wherein the volume comprises a space between the modules adjacent the openings.
17. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 16 wherein the volume comprises a space between adjacent corners of the frame of the at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules.
18. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 16 wherein the volume comprises a space adjacent an edge of the frame of at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules.
19. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 18 wherein the first and second volumetric construction modules are provided in laterally adjacent relation.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein providing the first and second volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation comprises providing the modules such that a side of one module is adjacent a side of the other module, or such that an end of one module is adjacent a side of the other module, or such that an end of one module is adjacent an end of the other module.
21. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 20 wherein the frame of each of the first and second volumetric construction module comprises a plurality of vertical posts, wherein the volume comprises a space between opposed posts of the modules.
22. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 20 wherein the frame of each of the first and second volumetric construction module comprises a horizontal rail, wherein the volume comprises a space between opposed rails of the modules.
23. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 20 wherein each of the first and second volumetric construction module comprises a panel section fastened to the frame, wherein the volume comprises a space between opposed panel sections of the modules.
24. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 20 comprising bridging adjacent upper portions of the frames with a structural member to provide a bottom boundary of a slab volume.
25. A method according to claim 24 wherein the structural member comprises one or more upwardly extending shear connectors.
26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the shear connectors extend past the top of the frames.
27. A method according to claim 24 wherein a plurality of rebar rods and rebar stirrups are provided in the slab volume.
28. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 27 wherein the structural member comprises a hot or cold rolled steel section.
29. A method according to claims 6 to 28 wherein a boundary of the slab volume is partially defined by a spacer installed above the first volumetric construction module and/or the second volumetric construction module.
30. A method according to claim 29 wherein at least the top corners of the frame of each of the first and second volumetric construction modules comprise corner fittings having upper orifices, wherein the spacer comprises at least one downward projection, and wherein installing the at least one spacer comprises mating the at least one downward projection with one of the upper orifices.
31. A method according to any one of claims 24 to 30 comprising introducing a curable material to the slab volume.
32. A method according to any one of 29 to 31 comprising providing an upper volumetric construction module above each of the first and second volumetric construction modules, each of the upper volumetric construction modules comprising a frame.
33. A method according to claim 32 wherein at least bottom corners of the frame of each upper module comprise corner fittings having lower orifices, wherein the spacer comprises at least one upward projection, and wherein providing the upper volumetric modules above the volumetric construction modules comprises mating the at least one upward projection with one of the lower orifices.
34. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 33 wherein each of the frames of the first and second volumetric construction modules comprises a rectangular parallelpiped frame.
35. A method according to claim 34 wherein the rectangular parallelpiped frame comprises at least a part of a frame of an intermodal shipping container.
36. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 35 wherein the curable material comprises concrete.
37. A method of modular building construction comprising:
- (a) providing first and second volumetric construction modules in lateral relation, each module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment;
- (b) providing a panel expansion member spanning opposing top rails of the frames and a floor frame between opposing bottom rails of the frame, the space between the panel expansion member and the floor frame defining an expansion space, wherein at least one of the panel expansion member and the floor frame comprise a second segment;
- (c) defining a volume of a composite segment, the volume integrating the first segment and the second segment; and
- (d) filling the volume with a curable material to cast the composite segment.
38. A method according to claim 37, wherein in step (c) the volume contains at least a portion of the first and second segments.
39. A method according to claim 38, wherein step (c) comprises defining a boundary of the volume with temporary formwork.
40. A method according to claim 37, wherein in step (c) comprises defining at least a portion of the boundary of the volume with the first and second segments.
41. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 40, comprising prior to step (d) a step (c)(i) comprising augmenting the structural capacity of the composite segment.
42. A method according to claim 41, wherein step (c)(i) comprises coupling the first segment and/or the second segment to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume.
43. A method according to claim 41, wherein step (c)(i) comprises providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, the first and second reinforcement elements extending in transverse planes with respect to each other.
44. A method according to claim 43, wherein the first reinforcement elements comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements comprise rebar stirrups.
45. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 44 wherein each volumetric construction module has an opening defined in its side that faces the expansion space, and wherein the volumes comprises a space between the modules and the expansion space adjacent the openings.
46. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 44 wherein the volume comprises a space between adjacent corners of the frame of the at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules.
47. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 46 wherein the volume comprises a space adjacent an edge of the frame of at least one of the first and second volumetric construction modules.
48. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 46 wherein a side of the first volumetric construction module is aligned with the side of the second volumetric construction module, with the expansion space located therebetween.
49. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 46 wherein a side of the first volumetric construction module is aligned with an end of the second volumetric construction module, with the expansion space located therebetween.
50. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 46 wherein an end of the first volumetric construction module is aligned with an end of the second volumetric construction module, with the expansion space located therebetween.
51. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 50 wherein the panel expansion member partially defines a bottom boundary of a slab volume above the modules and the expansion space.
52. A method according to claim 51 wherein the panel expansion member comprises a structural member at two side regions of the panel expansion member wherein spanning opposing top rails comprises resting at least a portion of the structural member on the top rails or on opposing sides of the modules
53. A method according to claim 52 wherein the structural member comprises a hot or cold rolled steel section.
54. A method according to claim 52 or 53 wherein the structural member is provided with upwardly projecting shear connectors.
55. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 54 wherein each of the frames of the first and second volumetric construction modules comprises a rectangular parallelpiped frame.
56. A method according to claim 55 wherein the rectangular parallelpiped frame comprises at least a part of a frame of an intermodal shipping container.
57. A method according to claims 37 to 56 wherein the panel expansion member comprises at least a part of a panel of an intermodal shipping container.
58. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 57 wherein the floor frame comprises at least a part of a floor frame of an intermodal shipping container.
59. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 58 wherein the curable material comprises concrete.
60. A method of modular building construction comprising:
- (a) providing a first volumetric construction module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment;
- (b) providing a partially constructed building comprising a frame comprising a second segment;
- (c) defining a volume of a composite segment, the volume integrating the first segment and the second segment; and
- (d) filling the volume with a curable material to cast the composite segment.
61. A method according to claim 60, wherein in step (c) the volume contains at least a portion of the first and second segments.
62. A method according to claim 61, wherein step (c) comprises defining a boundary of the volume with temporary formwork.
63. A method according to claim 60, wherein step (c) comprises defining at least a portion of the boundary of the volume with the first and second segments.
64. A method according to any one of claims 60 to 63, comprising prior to step (d) a step (c)(i) comprising augmenting the structural capacity of the composite segment.
65. A method according to claim 64, wherein step (c)(i) comprises coupling the first segment and/or the second segment to a plurality of shear connectors extending into the volume.
66. A method according to claim 64 wherein step (c)(i) further comprises providing a plurality of first and second reinforcement elements, the first and second reinforcement elements extending in transverse planes with respect to each other.
67. A method according to claim 66, wherein the first reinforcement elements comprise rebar rods and the second reinforcement elements comprise rebar stirrups.
68. A modular building diaphragm comprising:
- roof panels of first and second volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation;
- floor frames of third and fourth volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation, the third and fourth modules above the first and second modules, respectively;
- a beam soffit member connected between upper portions of the first and second modules and having one or more shear connectors extending upwardly between the third and fourth modules; and
- a continuous body of concrete in contact with at least a portion of each of the roof panels of the first and second modules, the laterally adjacent portions of the third and fourth modules, and the beam soffit member, the concrete bonded in composite action with the one or more shear connectors of the beam soffit member.
69. A modular building diaphragm comprising:
- roof panels of first and second volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation;
- floor frames of third and fourth volumetric construction modules in laterally adjacent relation, the third and fourth modules above the first and second modules and, respectively, bottom rails of the third and fourth modules rigidly connected by at least one shear connector;
- a structural member connected between upper portions of the first and second modules; and
- at least one first reinforcing element extending in a direction parallel to a long axis of the bottom rails;
- a plurality of second reinforcing elements oriented in a plane transverse to the long axis of the bottom rails, each of the second reinforcing elements coupling the at least one shear connector to the at least one first reinforcing element; and
- a continuous body of concrete in contact with at least a portion of each of the roof panels of the first and second modules, the laterally adjacent portions of the third and fourth modules, the at least one first reinforcing element, the plurality of second reinforcing elements, and the structural member, the concrete bonded in composite action with the one or more shear connectors of the beam soffit member.
70. A column in a modular building, the column comprising:
- a first panel section of a first volumetric construction module;
- a second panel section of a second volumetric construction module, the second panel section parallel to and spaced apart from the first panel section;
- at least one shear connector extending into a volume between the first panel section and the second panel section and attached to at least one of the first panel section and the second panel section;
- at least one column closure member closing lateral sides of the volume between the first panel section and the second panel section; and
- concrete in the volume bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector.
71. The column of claim 70 wherein the first module has an opening defined in part by an inward edge of the first panel section, wherein the second module has an opening defined in part by an inward edge of the second panel section, and wherein the at least one column closure member borders the openings in the first and second modules.
72. The column of claim 71 comprising at least one shear connector attached to the at least more column closure member, wherein the concrete is bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector attached to the at least one column closure member.
73. A column in a modular building, the column comprising:
- a first corner post section of a first volumetric construction module;
- a first vertically extending reinforcement member;
- a first plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the first corner post section to the first vertically extending reinforcement member;
- a volume defined by temporary formwork, the volume surrounding and including the first corner post section, the first vertically extending reinforcement member, and the first plurality of shear connectors; and
- concrete in the volume encasing and bonding in composite action the first corner post section, the first vertically extending reinforcement member, and the first plurality of shear connectors.
74. The column of claim 73 further comprising:
- a second corner post section of a second volumetric construction module adjacent the first corner post section;
- a second vertically extending reinforcement member;
- a second plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the second corner post section to the second vertically extending reinforcement member;
- wherein the volume additionally surrounds and includes the second corner post section, the second vertically extending reinforcement member, and the second plurality of shear connectors; and
- wherein the concrete in the volume additionally encases and bonds in composite action the second corner post section, the second vertically extending reinforcement member, and the second plurality of shear connectors.
75. A column in a modular building, the column comprising:
- a first corner post section of a first volumetric construction module;
- a second corner post section of a second volumetric construction module adjacent the first corner post section;
- a first plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the first corner post section to the second corner post section;
- a volume defined by temporary formwork, the volume surrounding and including the first corner post section, the second corner post section, and the first plurality of shear connectors; and
- concrete in the volume encasing and bonding in composite action the first corner post section, the second corner post section, and the first plurality of shear connectors.
76. The column of claim 75, further comprising
- a third corner post section of a third volumetric construction module adjacent the first or second corner post section;
- a fourth corner post section of a forth volumetric construction module adjacent the third corner post section;
- a second plurality of shear connectors rigidly connecting the third corner post section to the fourth corner post section;
- wherein the volume additionally surrounds and includes the third corner post section, the fourth corner post section, and the second plurality of shear connectors; and
- wherein the concrete in the volume additionally encases and bonds in composite action the third corner post section, the fourth corner post section, and the second plurality of shear connectors.
77. A column in a modular building, the column comprising:
- a first corner post section of a first volumetric construction module;
- at least one first reinforcing element extending in a direction parallel to a long axis of the first corner post section;
- at plurality of second reinforcing elements oriented in a plane transverse to the long axis of the first corner post section, each of the second reinforcing elements surrounding both the first corner post section and the at least one first reinforcing element;
- a volume defined by temporary formwork, the volume surrounding and including the first corner post section, the at least one first reinforcing element and the plurality of second reinforcing elements; and
- concrete in the volume encasing and bonding in composite action the first corner post section, the at least one first reinforcing element and the plurality of second reinforcing elements.
78. A column according to claim 77, comprising a second corner post section adjacent the first corner post section, wherein each of the second reinforcing elements surround the second corner post section, wherein the volume surrounds and includes the second corner post section, and wherein the concrete in the volume encases and bonds in composite action the first corner post section, the second corner post section, the at least one first reinforcing element and the plurality of second reinforcing elements.
79. A column according to claim 77 or 78, wherein the at least one first reinforcing element comprises a rebar rod, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements comprise rebar stirrups.
80. A beam in a modular building, the beam comprising:
- a first horizontal rail of a first volumetric construction module;
- a second horizontal rail of a second volumetric construction module, the second horizontal rail parallel to and spaced apart from the first rail;
- at least one shear connector extending into a volume between the first rail and the second rail and attached to at least one of the first rail and the second rail;
- a beam soffit member below the first rail and the second rail, the beam soffit member having one or more shear connectors extending into the volume between the first rail and the second rail; and
- concrete in the volume between the first rail and the second rail, the concrete bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector attached to at least one of the first rail and the second rail and with the one or more shear connectors of the beam soffit member.
81. The beam of claim 80 wherein the first module has an opening defined above the first rail, wherein the second module has an opening defined above the second rail, and wherein an upper face of the concrete borders the openings in the first and second modules.
82. A beam in a modular building, the beam comprising:
- a first horizontal rail of a first volumetric construction module;
- a second horizontal rail of a second volumetric construction module, the second horizontal rail parallel to and spaced apart from the first rail;
- at least one shear connector extending between the first rail and the second rail and attached to at least one of the first rail and the second rail;
- at least one first reinforcing element extending in a direction parallel to a long axis of the first and second horizontal rail;
- at plurality of second reinforcing elements oriented in a plane transverse to the long axis of the first and second horizontal rail, each of the second reinforcing elements coupling the at least one shear connector to the at least one first reinforcing element; and
- a structural member below the first rail, the second rail, the at least one first reinforcing element, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements; and
- concrete in a volume defined between the first rail and the second rail, the concrete bonded in composite action with the at least one shear connector, the at least one first reinforcing element, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements.
83. A column according to claim 82, wherein the structural member comprises a hot or cold rolled steel section.
84. A column according to claim 82 or 83, wherein the plurality of second reinforcing elements are substantially U-shaped, wherein end regions of the U-shape engage the at least one shear connector, and a middle region of the U-shape engages the at least one first reinforcing element.
85. A column according to any one of claims 82 to 84, wherein the at least one first reinforcing element comprises a rebar rod, and the plurality of second reinforcing elements comprise rebar stirrups.
86. A shear wall in a modular building, the shear wall comprising:
- a shear wall panel;
- at least a portion of one end or side of a volumetric construction module;
- at least one connector rigidly fixed to and extending between the shear wall panel and the portion of the one end or side;
- concrete in a volume defined between the shear wall panel and the portion of the one end or side.
87. A shear wall according to claim 86 wherein the shear wall panel comprises repurposed intermodal shipping container wall material.
88. A volumetric construction module comprising:
- a frame having opposed ends and opposed sides extending between the ends; and
- one or more shear connectors projecting outwardly from the frame.
89. A volumetric construction module according to claim 88 wherein the frame comprises at least part of a rectangular parallelepiped frame of an intermodal shipping container.
90. A volumetric construction module according to claim 88 or 89 wherein the one or more shear connectors extend between adjacent corners of the frame.
91. A volumetric construction module according to any one of claims 88 to 90 wherein the one or more shear connectors comprises an array of stud-type shear connectors.
92. A volumetric construction module according to any one of claims 88 to 91 wherein the one or more shear connectors comprises at least one strip-type shear connector.
93. A volumetric construction module according to any one of claims 88 to 92 wherein the one or more shear connectors is located adjacent an edge of the frame.
94. A volumetric construction module according to claim 93 wherein the edge comprises an edge between one of the ends of the frame and one of the sides of the frame.
95. A volumetric construction module according to claim 93 or 94 wherein the frame comprises a plurality of vertical posts, and wherein at least one of the one or more shear connectors is attached to one of the posts.
96. A volumetric construction module according to any one of claims 93 to 95 comprising a panel section coupled to the frame, and wherein at least one of the one or more shear connectors is attached to the panel section.
97. A volumetric construction module according to claim 93 wherein the edge comprises an edge between a bottom of the frame and one of the sides of the frame.
98. A volumetric construction module according to claim 93 wherein the edge is located along the top of one of the ends.
99. A volumetric construction module according to claim 97 or 98 wherein the frame comprises a horizontal rail, and wherein at least one of the one or more shear connectors is attached the rail.
100. A volumetric construction module according to any one of claims 88 to 99 wherein the frame has an opening in one of its sides, and wherein at least one of the shear connectors extends along an edge of the opening.
101. A method for making a volumetric construction module, the method comprising:
- providing an intermodal shipping container;
- installing one or more shear connectors on the outside of the container.
102. The method of claim 101 comprising removing a portion of a side panel of the container to define an opening in a side of the container.
103. The method of claim 102 comprising detachably fastening the removed portion of the side panel to the container.
104. The method of claim 102 or 103 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises:
- attaching the one or more shear connectors to the removed portion of the side panel; and
- laminating the removed portion of the side panel to a remaining portion of the side panel of the container.
105. The method of any one of claims 101 to 104 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises installing one or more shear connectors between adjacent corners of the container.
106. The method of any one of claims 101 to 105 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises installing an array of stud-type shear connectors.
107. The method of any one of claims 101 to 106 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises installing at least one strip-type shear connector.
108. The method of any one of claims 101 to 107 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises installing the one or more shear connectors adjacent to an edge of the container.
109. The method of claim 108 wherein the edge comprises an edge between an end of the container and a side of the container.
110. The method of claim 109 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises attaching at least one of the one or more shear connectors to a post of the container.
111. The method of claim 109 or 110 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises attaching at least one of the one or more shear connectors to a panel of the container.
112. The method of claim 111 wherein the edge comprises an edge between a bottom of the container and a side of the container.
113. The method of claim 111 wherein the edge comprises an edge between a top of the container and an end of the container.
114. The method of claim 112 or 113 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises attaching at least one of the one or more shear connectors to a horizontal rail of the container.
115. The method of any one of claims 101 to 114 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises welding at least one of the one or more shear connectors to the container.
116. The method of any one of claims 101 to 115 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises adhesively bonding at least one of the one or more shear connectors to the container.
117. The method of any one of claims 101 to 116 wherein installing the one or more shear connectors comprises mechanically coupling at least one of the one or more shear connectors to the container.
118. A building comprising:
- two volumetric construction modules in adjacent relation, each module comprising: a frame having opposed ends and opposed sides extending between the ends, and one or more first shear connectors coupled to the frame and extending toward the other module;
- at least one first closure member closing lateral sides of a first volume between the modules that includes the one or more first shear connectors; and
- concrete occupying the first volume.
119. The building of claim 118 wherein each module has an opening defined in its side that faces the other module, and wherein the first volume is adjacent the openings.
120. The building of claim 119 wherein each of the modules comprises one or more second shear connectors, and wherein the building comprises:
- at least one second first closure member closing lateral sides of a second volume between the modules that includes the one or more second shear connectors; and
- concrete occupying the second volume,
- wherein the second volume is spaced apart from the first volume and adjacent the openings in the modules.
121. The building of claim 118 wherein the frame of each module comprises at least part of a rectangular parallelpiped frame of an intermodal shipping container.
122. A building comprising:
- a first volumetric construction module comprising a frame, the frame comprising a first segment;
- a volume of a composite segment, the volume integrating the first segment; and
- concrete occupying the volume.
123. A building according to claim 122, comprising a structure adjacent the first volumetric construction module, the adjacent structure comprising a second segment, wherein the volume integrates the first segment and the second segment.
124. A building according to claim 122, wherein the adjacent structure comprises a second volumetric construction module.
125. A building according to claim 122, wherein the adjacent structure comprises an expansion space.
126. A building according to claim 122, wherein the adjacent structure comprises a partially constructed building.
127. A building according to any one of claims 123 to 126, wherein the volume contains at least a portion of the first and second segments, wherein boundaries of the volume are formed by temporary formwork.
128. A building according to any one of claims 123 to 127 further comprising a base isolation system.
129. A method according to claim 4 wherein the adjacent structure comprises a second volumetric construction module comprising a frame including the second segment.
130. A method according to claim 129 wherein the adjacent structure comprises a second volumetric construction module comprising a frame including the second segment.
131. A method according to any one of claims 1-4, 129 and 130 wherein the curable material comprises a high strength curable material.
132. A method according to claim 131 wherein the curable material comprises carbon fibre reinforced polymer or high strength concrete.
133. A method according to claim 7, wherein step (a)(ii) comprises coupling the first segment and the second segment by wrapping the segments with fibre reinforced polymer wrap.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 14, 2012
Publication Date: Oct 9, 2014
Inventors: William John Rechenmacher (West Vancouver), Tsung Yuan Yang (Vancouver)
Application Number: 14/356,574
International Classification: E04G 21/02 (20060101); E04B 2/86 (20060101); E04H 1/00 (20060101);