Precast construction method and apparatus for variable size elevated platform
Elevated platforms of variable size are fabricated from pre-cast planar construction blocks. The platforms may be used to support pre-cast structures or prefabricated units. The platform comprises a plurality of support blocks which include haunches to support drop-in beams of variable length. The platforms are supported by pre-cast pedestal block foundation elements which may be installed on the surface, buried, or partially buried. The platforms may also be supported by pile cap blocks or nested assemblies of pile cap blocks which are grouted over conventional piles. The modular elements may include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing MEP ports for providing utilities through the platform or structure.
This application is related to and claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/798,699 filed May 8, 2006 for “Continuation of and Improvements to Method and Apparatus for Precast and Framed Block Element Construction Describing Modular Skid Block and Framing Block Improvements”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/802,391 filed May 22, 2006 for “Continuation and Improvements to Method and Apparatus for Precast and Framed Block Element Construction Describing Predestal Blocks and Tie-Down Systems”; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/813,080 filed Jun. 13, 2006 for “Continuation of and Improvements to Method and Apparatus for Precast and Framed Block Element Construction Describing Pile Cap System and Variable Spacer Platforms”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to a building system comprising a combination of pre-cast structural foundation elements, support platform elements, and building structure elements.
2. Description of Related Art
Pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/680,939, Publication No. 2004/0134152A1 by the current applicant is incorporated by reference in this application. That publication discusses conventional construction techniques and some advantages of the LadderBlock™ approach to construction.
Conventional construction generally consists either cast-in-place construction with obstructive and costly formwork, or of interconnected stick or panel framing that relies on diagonal bracing or shear walls for lateral stability.
It is desirable to build using a system of independently stable modules that eliminate the need for temporary shoring and bracing, and that allow crane time to be utilized efficiently.
It is highly desirable to introduce a building system that allows design flexibility while offering vast simplifications in both design and construction; this can be accomplished by means of an expanding kit of compatible parts.
The use of on-site casting for concrete cast-in-place structures requires the expense and delay of field-fabricating the forms for pouring concrete. It is desirable to provide concrete structural elements which can be built in stacks or mass-produced by other means either on-site or under factory controlled conditions.
Tilt wall construction provides some advantage in pre-casting wall elements, but has the disadvantage of requiring the advance construction of large areas of grade-supported slab to serve as a casting surface for the wall blocks. Tilt wall construction also requires the use of temporary shoring during the assembly process to hold walls in place until additional structural elements are attached to the walls. It is desirable to provide pre-cast concrete structural elements that can be assembled into a variety of structural elements and finished buildings without the use of temporary shoring.
Concrete building blocks such as cinder blocks are typically provided in relatively small units that require labor-intensive mortared assembly to form walls and structures. It is desirable to provide larger structural units that can be site cast in stacks or trucked to a job site and assembled together into a wide variety of structural forms without extensive use of mortar or adhesive.
It is desirable to introduce a building system that enables the wholesale recycling and reuse of entire buildings by use of durably constructed large-scale building blocks.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe current invention comprises structures formed by various combinations of pre-cast foundation elements, platform support elements, and framing elements.
One aspect of the current invention is the use of an extension haunch element in combination with variable length drop in beams to form structural modules of variable length. One use of the variable length modules is elevated platforms to support prefabricated housing and other structures.
The modular elements may include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing ports, “MEP ports”, for providing utilities through the structure.
Another aspect of the current invention is the use of pedestal blocks and pile cap blocks as foundation elements. The pedestal blocks permit a variety of construction approaches with minimum site disruption. The pile cap blocks provide a high tolerance method of using conventional piles with pre-cast modular structural elements.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are set forth below and further made clear by reference to the drawings, wherein:
The current invention comprises structures formed by various combinations of pre-cast foundation elements, platform support elements, and framing elements.
Several basic building blocks of the Ladder Block™ building system are described in U.S. Patent publication No. 2004/0134152A1.
In one embodiment, the block is designed to incorporate a series of cast-in biaxial modular connection sleeves 100 which are typically aligned with counterparts in other blocks to permit bolted assembly of the blocks into modules.
A basic block of one embodiment of the invention is shown in
To provide an easy method for building any length of platform, standard lengths of Frame Blocks can be configured with haunches (110) as shown in
In this embodiment, the MEP port access (101) is formed from the fabrication of a 6 inch or equivalent metric pipe and a smaller pipe that gets assembled and cast into the corners of these blocks. This allows for mechanical, electrical, or plumbing access to be made easily through the framing of the building.
The blocks shown in
Where a single-story structural platform is desired, a spacer frame block 305 as shown in
In a market where the local labor is largely displaced and unavailable, it is important that site-built construction be limited to the greatest extent possible, and a large number of manufacturers now offer residential construction modules that are framed to be as sturdy as conventional stick construction. These crane-set boxes are typically finished out when they are shipped, except for taping and floating of sheetrock wall joints that would otherwise break in transit. They generally consist of shippable components that range in width from around 12 feet to around 15 feet, depending on the manufacturer, and most models arrange two of these boxes back-to-back to provide a floor plan that is two modules wide. In the U.S., specifications for these modules generally require a double-width, 16 inch wide support line at the center and 8 inch wide supports at the two outer edges. To allow a common substructure framework to support conventional framing and to meet the requirements of a variety of modular manufacturers' lengths and widths, the Modular Skid Block 200 as shown in
The Modular Skid Block 200 comprises a precast two-way grid of edge beams (201) and cross beams (202). Cross beams (202) can be positioned to align with Frame Blocks in a supporting assembly; and they can bear on and bolt directly to the top of each frame block. Cross beams (202) can incorporate voids or sloped bottom surfaces to cantilever out in each direction from the bearing width on the supporting framework as shown in
Cross beams 202 and edge beams 201 can be simple rectangular sections that are sized and reinforced as required to transmit loads from the construction above to the frame below. Since both cross beams 202 and edge beams 201 are designed to cantilever past the limits of the supporting structure, and to offer adjustability in the formed dimension of those cantilevers, platforms of any dimension can be constructed as shown in
In cases where a customer desires a home or other structure that is built wholly of LadderBlock framing, floor, wall, and roof blocks, such a solution can be offered in a variety of floor plans using the same block set described above. The architecture of the interior space offers clear span flexibility, which compares favorably to modular solutions that generally include a pair of load-bearing walls in the center of the floor plan. Any conventional roof framing system, including wood or steel trusses, could be used to frame the roof that caps the LadderBlock assembly.
In this example, the walls are 10 inches thick, and the cross-beams at the base are 10 inches thick by 12 inches deep. The Pedestal Block 309 shown has an overall height of 4 feet, but blocks of variable height are described below. Blocks feature a bearing seat 113 that can be set to an elevation that is a standard shim stack below the intended bearing height of the supported framing. Where desired, the engineer can select Pedestal Blocks with vertical extensions 105 as shown in
The symmetry of Pedestal Blocks is of particular benefit in tooling for their manufacture. Formwork can be reduced to simple repetitions of those elements necessary to form each of the four quadrants, so that even the construction of the formwork is modularized and simplified. Side forms can also carry centering studs for pipe sleeves and crosses, which can in turn can carry reinforcing steel cages, so that the positions of each of these elements is fixed and consistent.
The cross-beam footing elements in the Pedestal Block provide calculable lateral stability and load distribution. They can be buried directly, or they can be cast into simple pile caps, larger composite footings, or the thickened edges of a slab. In many locations, temporary and even permanent construction can be safely supported on shallow soils near natural ground level. This decision is generally resolved by a calculation of a design soil pressure and its comparison with an allowable soil pressure, the latter being determined by a geotechnical engineer.
Where the temporary nature of an intended building or the quality of the surface soils allow, construction using Pedestal Blocks can be set with minimal excavation, and in some cases directly on the natural ground surface. Whenever precast blocks are to be set directly on soil or compacted structural fill, it is prudent to use a lean concrete or grout setting bed to establish continuous contact between the precast blocks and the soil. Continuous bearing might also be obtained by intentionally wetting and preloading the supporting soils; the loads could come from intentionally concentrating forces onto each Pedestal Block in turn.
A modest structure of this construction can be erected in the middle of a field or a parking lot that is sufficiently flat. Fine leveling can be accomplished using standard tiltwall shim stacks (not shown). If soils settle or heave, Pedestal Blocks offer an easy way to re-level the structure. A structure that sits on unexpectedly poor soils could even be dismantled and re-erected on another site. For permanent construction, it is generally necessary to set the bottom of the footing below the expected depth of scour or frost, and it is typically desirable to completely bury the cross-beam footing elements of Pedestal Blocks so that only the top of the pedestal blocks 309 and 310 are visible as shown in
Where surface soils are not reliable, the structure must be designed to deliver all forces to deep foundations; these may consist or driven piles, drilled piers, helical anchors or other common systems. Pedestal Blocks 309 and 310 allow a minimal amount of excavation and site-cast concrete to transfer loads from the structural framing into an array of previously driven piles or another deep foundation system.
Pedestal Blocks allow framing assemblies to be set among an array of piles and then cast into a pile cap or thickened slab, with the completed assembly engineered to provide the strength required to transfer all expected forces. At the engineer's discretion, Pedestal Blocks 309 and 310 may be set on soil between the previously driven piles as shown in
Site-cast work can be accomplished within a narrow trench, with minimal excavation. Cap construction can use simple side forms, or the trench sides can be used to earth-form the cap where appropriate. It is desirable to avoid trapping air below the precast block when the cap is site-cast. Concrete can be placed largely from one side in order to build a pressure head and cause a flow of concrete below the bottom surface of the block; this flow and subsequent vibration of the concrete should clear any air bubbles that might have been trapped. It is also possible to build Pedestal Blocks with a bottom surface that is mitered to a low centerline; this would help ensure that air bubbles will clear naturally.
Dimensional TolerancesIt would be difficult, if not impossible, to set a precast foundation system with the exact plan location or elevation that is desired. Pedestal Blocks offer an easy means of providing the dimensional tolerances that are required to transition from rough-set foundations to precision superstructure. Tops of Pedestal Blocks can be flat, or they can be built with vertical extensions that provide an interlock mechanism as shown in
In an extreme weather event with high winds, structures obviously get pushed laterally by the wind. What is less obvious is that the most destructive force in these events is often not the lateral pressure, but the uplift that is generated by the aerodynamic effect of high winds passing over the roof of a structure. Most hurricane footage shows structures not falling down or over, but lifting off of their supports. The calculation of uplift and overturning forces on a given structure is part of the work of the structural engineer. These forces are generally resisted by a combination of the dead weight of the building and tie-downs that are designed to resist the difference between the uplift and the dead weight, with appropriate safety factors included in the analysis. It also stands true that the dead weight of concrete framing can be adequate to prevent uplift or overturning of many assemblies. This likelihood increases when LadderBlock framing is combined with concrete floor, wall, and roof elements.
Structural interlock between Pedestal Blocks and the supported framing has been described, but these blocks also present a number of tie-down options. One very cost-effective, simple to use, and adjustable tie-down system is present in a pipe clamp similar to that used in the Precision Slip Form system described previously.
Simple variations on this theme could incorporate welded studs or pipes on the vertical face of a steel angle, channel or tube; the perpendicular face of the section could receive and offer a bearing surface to the clamping rod or rods. Clamps can be developed to offer a range of capacities, with the capacity being determined by the lower of the tension capacity of the threaded rod or the shear capacity of the stud. Knowing the capacity of a single clamp and the uplift spanning capacity of the supported framing, an engineer can specify the number and placement of clamps that are required to safely resist any expected uplift.
Another useful connectivity option that can be easily incorporated into a Pedestal Block (309 and 310) is one or more vertical sleeves that extend to the bearing surface as shown in
Pedestal Blocks (309 and 310) can support construction of most any type. Pedestal Blocks can carry Modular Skid Blocks (200) introduced previously, other precast structural framing, or conventional construction of a variety of materials and systems. Supporting Modular Skid Blocks 200 is shown in
While the Pedestal Block (309 and 310) was designed to support and complement LadderBlock framing and Modular Skid Blocks, it can also be used to carry wood beams and joists, wide-flange steel beams and bar joists, or other conventional framing systems as shown in
The Pedestal Blocks (309 and 310) of the possible example embodiments shown have a 8′-4″ long cross-beams, 10 inch thick walls, and a height of 4 feet. It has already been noted that member cross-sections can be modified to satisfy engineering or architectural requirements.
One example of an engineering-driven variation of a Pedestal Block (309 and 310) might be required to lessen soil pressures under a design load by widening and/or lengthening the soil bearing surface. This could be accomplished by attaching a separately precast footing element, by extending the length of the cross-beams, or by casting a flange (108) as shown in
Another example of an engineering-driven variation of the Pedestal Block (309 and 310) is useful at an interior footing below a larger set of precast or structural framing such as back-to-back pair of LadderBlock Frame Blocks. It is generally preferable to present a continuous bearing surface below the full column width in each block, and
Among the most empowering variations of the Pedestal Block (309 and 310) is gained by casting these blocks in a range of heights as shown in
Miniature or oversized versions of this block may find utility in a variety of applications. Reduced-scale versions of these blocks could support lighter construction or serve as the pedestals for a pedestal floor system. Larger embodiments might have to be segmented to satisfy transportation weight and dimensional limits, and they might be used in the support of larger buildings, bridges, or other structures.
Pile Cap BlockThe Pile Cap Block 314 shown in
The walls of the Pile Cap Block of the example embodiment are 6 inches thick, with a wall height of 16 inches, and the beams that interconnect adjacent cells are 12 inches thick. The embodiment shown presents pile-receiving cells at 3′-4″ centers, but similar blocks could be configured to accommodate other pile spacings.
Pile Cap Blocks are intended to be placed on leveling blocks or on level ground that surrounds a set of previously driven piles. One example installation is shown in
The manufacture of Pile Cap Blocks 314 is simplified by means of the sleeves and crosses that are common to other precast components shown here. In addition to presenting an array of options for structural connectivity, sleeves and crosses can also serve as spreaders between bolted side forms, as support and positioning devices for reinforcing steel, and as built-in lifting and handling points.
While Pile Cap Blocks 314 with a height of 16 inches are shown, other heights may be produced using the same forms. The depth of the Pile Cap Block 314 is constant; this means that it can be slip-formed and stack-cast to enable mass production on a shorter casting cycle than would otherwise be possible.
NestingIt is clear that the Pile Cap Block 314 offers an easy means of capping a group of piles that are placed in a straight line, but the low load-bearing capacity of piles driven into marshy soil often dictates that piles be nested into groups. The geometry of the Pile Cap Block 314 is configured to allow two or more blocks to nest together. One example of this is shown in
In building foundations for structures that generate significant base shear or thrust, it is often necessary to link support points with a tie beam. Pile cap blocks 314 can be cast in continuous runs up to the limits of transportability, and can serve as a tie beam to resist thrust, as might be required at the base of a truncated precast frame block 315 with arching action. Several different possible methods are shown in
Where a tie-beam must be longer than can be transported, end sleeves in tie-beam segments can be bolted (109) and grouted to combine two or more Pile Cap Blocks 314 into a continuous element as shown in
A number of potential dimensional variations of the Pile Cap Block 314 have already been discussed. These blocks are also scalable. Miniature or oversized versions of this block may find utility in a variety of applications. Reduced-scale versions of these blocks could support lighter construction. Larger embodiments might need to be segmented to satisfy transportation weight and dimensional limits, and they might be used in the support of larger buildings, bridges, or other structures.
Variable Spacer PlatformsWhile a great deal of the power of the LadderBlock system resides in the standardization of the dimensional module, it is also clear that the market presents a significant need for dimensional flexibility. Architectural designs and modular construction systems offered by others enjoy little, if any, dimensional standardization. The previously introduced Modular Skid Block 200 allowed a common support frame to carry a variety of span widths and lengths. This application introduces another means to the same end. It eliminates the Modular Skid Block 200 as the only possible source of variability, and substitutes variability in the LadderBlock framing elements to position top chords directly below the loads of the carried construction.
A survey of the manufacturers of residential construction modules being offered on the Gulf Coast of the United States reveals an array of construction module widths being used. These modules generally require an 8 inch wide support line along each edge, and a 16 inch wide support line at the center of a double module. The loads along each edge of each module are generally constant, so that it is desirable to place single frame blocks along outer edges and double frame blocks at the centerline of such a building. To position these frame blocks where they are needed, Spacer Blocks 302 or Spacer Frame Blocks 305 can be produced in unique widths for each desired module width or secondary framing span length. Several examples are shown in
Producing Spacer Blocks in a variety of widths works well in that it positions Frame Blocks 300 where they are needed. It is desirable, however, to maintain modular dimensions for the Frame Blocks 300 themselves. To provide an easy method for building any length of platform,
While a Drop-in Beam with a rectangular cross-section 111 is the easiest to produce in a variety of lengths, other geometries can also be produced. In one embodiment, the drop-in beam can offer a segmented arch geometry 112 that matches that of the supporting Frame Blocks. Both the rectangular cross-section 111 and segmented arch geometry beam is shown on haunches 110 in
Claims
1. A structural frame comprising
- a plurality of foundation elements;
- a plurality of framing blocks supported by the foundation elements, each framing block comprising a substantially upright first edge chord, and a second edge chord spaced apart from the first edge chord,
- at least a portion of the framing blocks further comprising a haunch extending from an edge chord, at least a portion of the framing blocks having a first haunch extending from a first edge chord, and a second haunch from a second edge chord; and
- a plurality of drop in beams, such that each drop-in beam is supported by a haunch on a first block and a haunch on a second block adjacent to the first block.
2. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein the frame is an elevated platform.
3. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein the plurality of framing blocks further comprise at least one mechanical, electrical, or plumbing access port.
4. The structural frame of claim 1 further comprising
- a member connecting a portion of the first edge chord to a portion of the second edge chord, the member having a concave upper surface, thereby creating a utility access area above the member.
5. The structural frame of claim 1 further comprising
- a modular skid block supported above the plurality of framing blocks, the modular skid block comprising a precast two-way grid of edge beams and cross beams.
6. The structural frame of claim 5 wherein
- the modular skid block cantilevers past the plurality of framing blocks.
7. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein the foundation elements further comprise
- a plurality of pedestal blocks, each pedestal block comprising a cross-shaped footing comprising a beam element, and a pedestal element; and a bearing seat.
8. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the pedestal blocks further comprise
- a vertical extension.
9. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the pedestal blocks further comprise
- flat bearing seats.
10. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the pedestal blocks further comprise
- keyed bearing seats.
11. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the pedestal blocks further comprise
- grouted reinforcing steel set around driven piles or drilled piers.
12. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the pedestal blocks further comprise
- at least one connector sleeve.
13. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the pedestal blocks further comprise
- at least one vertical sleeve, and
- a threaded rod connector grouted in the sleeve.
14. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein the foundation elements further comprise
- a plurality of precast pile cap block modules, each cap block comprising at least one cap block module comprising an opening for receiving a pile member.
15. The structural frame of claim 14 further comprising
- a first pile cap block module comprising a plurality of cap block modules; and
- a second pile cap block module comprising a plurality of cap block modules, such that the first pile cap block module and second pile cap block module are nested.
16. The structural frame of claim 14 further comprising
- a first pile cap block module;
- a second pile cap block module; and
- a threaded connector between the first pile cap block module and the second pile cap block module.
17. The structural frame of claim 1 wherein
- the plurality of drop in beams are arched beams.
18. The structural frame of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of roof truss blocks.
19. A method of constructing a variable-size structural frame, the method comprising
- installing a plurality of foundation elements;
- providing a plurality of framing blocks, each framing block comprising a substantially upright first edge chord and a second edge chord spaced apart from the first edge chord, at least a portion of the framing blocks further comprising a haunch extending from an edge chord;
- supporting the plurality of framing blocks on the foundation elements;
- fabricating a plurality of drop in beams to desired lengths; and
- placing the drop-in beams so that each beam is supported by a haunch on a first block and a haunch on a second block adjacent to the first block.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein installing a plurality of foundation elements further comprises
- providing a plurality of precast pile cap block modules, each cap block comprising at least one cap block module comprising an opening for receiving a pile member;
- placing the plurality of precast pile cap block modules over a plurality of pile members; and
- grouting the openings.
Type: Application
Filed: May 8, 2007
Publication Date: Nov 15, 2007
Inventor: David W. Powell (Austin, TX)
Application Number: 11/745,998