Complex column - Patent Review 4407106

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The present invention has for its object a complex column intended to be used more particularly in constructions having a metallic structure or in reinforced concrete constructions.

In such constructions, the pillars which are commonly formed of I or H metallic profiles have to be embedded, generally in concrete, as safeguard against fire risks. In fact in case of fire if the metallic carrying pillars are not protected from the heat, they are deformed and cause distortions or even the collapse of the supporting metallic structure of the construction.

Now the pillars and other exposed portions of the metallic structure of a construction are embedded in concrete after the setting in place of the structure. This necessites the realisation of casings around the pillars in particular and the pouring of concrete therein. Thereafter it is necessary to wait for the setting of the concrete. These operations are lengthy and onerous.

The present invention has for its object a complex carrying column tending to obviate these drawbacks by the fact that it comprises a core constituted by a metallic profile which is embedded in a mass of concrete and by the fact that the core emerges at both ends of the pillar from the concrete mass.

The attached drawings show schematically and by way of example two embodiments of the complex column according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows in perspective view the end of a first embodiment of the complex column.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross section of a variant of the complex column along line III--III of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section along line II--II of the complex column shown in FIG. 2.

The carrying complex column according to the invention comprises a core 1 constituted by a metallic profile having the shape of an I or an H embedded in a mass of concrete 2. At both ends of the complex column the core 1 emerges from the concrete mass. The complex column can thus be connected to other elements of a metallic structure, by welding for example. These ends are then embedded in concrete during the pouring of a flooring slab.

As shown in FIG. 1, armatures 3 are embedded in the mass of concrete 2 and merges out of it. Metallic hoops 4 (FIG. 2) can surround the armature 3 and provide for a good anchoring of these armatures in the slab for example.

The mass of concrete 1 is tubular and the complex column has therefore a central void 5 extending the whole height of the column. This central void 5 can be separated into two parts by the metallic profile. Such an internal void can be obtained only by the casting of the concrete followed by its centrifugation.

In the variant shown in FIG. 3, the end of the core 1 and of the armature 3 of the complex column are welded to a metallic end plate 6 used as base or supporting element for the column.

Numerous assembling modes can be provided to fix two complex columns together as a complex column to a metallic structure or to an armed concrete structure. Therefore the invention resides in the fact that the armatures emerge from out of the mass of concrete or are at least accessible from the outside of said mass at both ends of the columns in order to be either welded to metallic elements or embedded in a concrete flooring slab.

It is evident that the cross section of the complex column can be not only circular as shown but also polygonal, square, rectangular or of other shape.

This type of complex column can also be used with advantage in a concrete construction where the pillars have absolutely to be of small dimensions despite the high loading.

The setting in place of the concrete by centrifugation is particularly important and of interest to obtain high resistance columns still having a small outside diameter and provided with an internal void which can be used to locate ducts.

While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

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