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TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to buildings employing skeletal framing, and to
structural members used in fabricating the same. More particularly, this
invention relates to buildings whose frames are erected from hollow steel
profiles that form both beams and columns that are connected together to
form a framework, and that may then be filled with concrete to provide
composite building structural members. Specifically, this invention
relates to indented, elongated steel structural members having truncated,
V-shaped transverse cross-sections that are bolted together to provide
unitary structural assemblies, and that may thereafter be filled with
concrete to form reinforced concrete building structures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Structural members comprising interconnected steel beams and girders are
typically used in the construction of modern buildings not only in many
single story structures, but particularly in multi-story buildings, since
their use is often required to provide the strength necessary to prevent
collapse of the structure. Buildings so constructed are not only sturdy,
but have a functional life expectancy that in most cases far exceeds the
economics of their continued existence.
While the characteristics described have caused such structural members to
be widely used for the erection of buildings, they are not without certain
inherent disadvantages. Steel columns, beams and girders, for example, are
quite bulky and considerable space is, therefore, required to accommodate
them. Such structural members are also extremely heavy, and for both
reasons they require extensive and frequently involved transportation
arrangements to move them from their manufacturing site or storage
location to their place of erection. In addition, the erection of
traditional structural members typically requires heavy-duty cranes and
large scale equipment in order to lift the members into place at the
building site. The process of erection also necessitates the services of
experienced labor, and involves welding and other relatively high-skill
techniques.
A further significant disadvantage of construction utilizing standardized
steel structural members lies in the fact that their manufacture can only
be accomplished in large, capital-intensive rolling mills of the kind
associated with steel manufacturing plants.
Furthermore, while some buildings have been fabricated from reinforced
concrete and preformed sections, such construction requires extensive
forming, and is often uneconomical as a result. In addition, the use of
such methods in multi-structure buildings is limited for reasons that
include the excessive weight entailed.
As a consequence of the preceding, therefore, construction of multi-story
buildings by standard techniques is not only usually expensive, but it is
sometimes impractical due to budgetary constraints. Furthermore, in many
locations lacking a skilled work force or suitable construction equipment,
or which are relatively remote, such construction is difficult from a
practical point of view.
Notwithstanding the preceding, there is a widespread and continuing need
for multi-story buildings, for example, up to about five stories in
height, not only in urban areas in which standard building methods are
possible, but in rural areas in which they are difficult, and in
developing countries where both the necessary worker skills and
sophisticated erection equipment are often either non-existent, or in
short supply. Unfortunately, the latter areas are frequently those having
the greatest need for schools, hospitals, and other public buildings of
both the single and multi-story variety having superior strength and
durabilty characteristics, that can be built using unskilled or
semi-skilled labor, and that require only basic tools and equipment for
their erection.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In view of the preceding, therefore, it is a first aspect of this invention
to provide building structures that can be fabricated from interlocking
steel profiles.
A second aspect of this invention is to provide inexpensive, light-weight,
high-strength structural members.
An additional aspect of this invention is to provide relatively
light-weight steel profiles that can be "nested" together for
transportation to building sites, thereby greatly reducing transportation
problems.
Another aspect of this invention is to provide building structural members
that can rapidly and easily be erected by relatively unskilled labor
without extensive use of heavy-duty, specialized erection equipment.
A further aspect of this invention is to provide steel structural profiles
that can be fabricated from relatively simple, roll-forming equipment.
An additional aspect of this invention is to provide open steel structural
profiles that also serve as forms for concrete poured therein.
Yet an additional aspect of this invention is to provide a way in which to
make strong but light-weight building frames available both in developed
and relatively undeveloped areas.
Still another aspect of this invention is to furnish a way in which to make
available composite steel and concrete structural members.
The foregoing and yet further aspects of the invention are provided by an
elongated, hollow steel structural member useful for fabricating
structures therefrom comprising a trough-like profile that includes a
closed bottom; an open top; two sides; and wing-like flanges, said sides
diverging as they extend upward from said bottom to said top; said flanges
extending outward from said top parallel to said bottom, and said bottom
having indentations extending into the interior of said profile.
The foregoing and further aspects of the invention are provided by a
structural member for a building structure in which counterpart surfaces
of two of the profiles of the preceding paragraph are joined to each other
at right angles to form structural columns having a vertical section, and
a horizontal section.
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are provided by a column
member for a building structure in which the vertical portions of two of
the structural columns according to the preceding paragraph are positioned
back-to-back with surfaces of their wing-like flanges adjacent to each
other and connected together.
The foregoing and yet additional aspects of the invention are provided by a
composite structural component comprising an elongated, hollow steel
profile that includes: a closed bottom; an open top; two sides; and
wing-like flanges, said sides diverging as they extend upward from said
bottom to said top, said profile being provided with indentations
extending into the interior of said profile, and said flanges extending
outward from the top of at least one of said sides, parallel to said
bottom, said profile being filled with concrete.
The foregoing and still other aspects of the invention are provided by
skeletal framing of a building formed from interlocked structural
components comprising vertical column members and horizontal beam members
formed from composite structural components according to the preceding
paragraph.
The foregoing and yet further aspects of the invention are provided by
skeletal framing for a multi-story structure in which the lower ends of
the vertical portions of structural column members according to the
penultimate paragraph are positioned over the tops of others of said
column members, and in axial alignment therewith, each of said upper
columns resting on column support means spaced from the tops of the
columns beneath by spacer bolts, said spacer bolts comprising: a bolt
head; an upper, larger diameter threaded portion with a first nut engaged
therewith; a lower, smaller diameter threaded portion with a second nut
engaged therewith; and a shoulder between said larger diameter portion and
said smaller diameter portion, wherein said support means is secured
between said head and said first nut, and the column beneath is secured
between said shoulder and said second nut, the distance between said
shoulder and said first nut providing said spacing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood when reference is had to the
following drawings, in which like-numbers refer to like-parts, and in
which:
FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are isometric partial views of a structural frame for a
building fabricated from the structural members of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an end view of structural beam member of the invention.
FIG. 2A is a partial front elevation of a structural member juncture
showing the interconnection of structural beam members with a structural
column member.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a structural member juncture showing the
interconnection of a structural beam member with vertically aligned
structural column members.
FIG. 4 shows a front elevation of a spacer bolt, including its associated
nuts and washers.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a structural member junction showing the
interconnection of two structural beam members with vertically aligned
structural column members.
FIG. 6 is an isometric partial view of a structural frame for a building
illustrating the use of double structural column members.
FIG. 7 is a top view of a structural member juncture showing the
interconnection of a structural column member with structural beam members
and spacer beam members.
FIG. 8 is an exploded front elevation view of a double structural column
member with its associated structural beam members, floor panels, and
shoulder U-bolts.
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a structural member juncture showing the
interconnection of vertically aligned double structural column members
with two structural beam members.
FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a structural member showing the
interconnection of a structural beam member, structural end beam members,
and a structural column member, the structural beam member being shown
with associated floor panels and shouldered U-bolts.
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a lath screen jacket for a structural beam
member of the invention.
FIG. 12 is an end view of a clad structural beam member fastened to deck
panels with shouldered U-bolts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric partial views of a structural frame for a
building fabricated from the structural members of the invention. In the
Figures, structural beam members 14 are shown connected to single column
members 16 comprising vertical portions connected by weld joints 22 to
column shoulders 18. The vertical portion of the columns making up the
first story of the structure are positioned on base plates 20 with the
column shoulders 18 serving as supports for structural beam members 14 and
as supports for further columns positioned in axial alignment thereon. In
the interior of the building, spacer beams 28 are positioned between
columns 16 to provide uniform distance between the spans 23. The ends of
adjacent spans are interconnected by means of structure end-beam members
26, while floor panels 30 extend between the spans, supported on the edges
of the beam members. Details of the structural member junctures circled by
the dotted lines are to be seen in the Figures to which reference is had.
As previously indicated, the structure shown is well suited for use in
structures at least up to about five stories in height, including
particularly schools, hospitals, and the like. The individual structural
members, including the beam members 14 and column members 16, may be
nested together, loaded into trucks, and transported to the building site,
the trucks' loads being dictated by the weight of the nested structural
members, rather than by volume as in the case of ordinary I-beams and
similar structural components. Once at the site, the structural profiles
are simply bolted together to form the desired building frame.
When the frame has been completed, and the floor panels bolted into place,
concrete is poured into the structural members, which act as concrete
forms, and onto the deck panels, as will be described in greater detail in
the following. With the exception of the spacer beam members 28, which are
not filled with concrete, the structural members have open tops, which
facilitate the insertion of reinforcing bars in cases where additional
strength is required.
FIG. 2 is an end view of structural beam member of the invention showing
the truncated, V-shaped cross-section of the structural members. As shown
in the Figure, the beam member 14 includes beam wings 32 extending outward
from the top of the beam which among other functions, support deck panels
positioned thereon. The beam wings are parallel to the bottom 36 of the
beam. In any given structure, the width of the bottom of the structural
members, and the width of the open top will be the same, although the
length of the sides 35 of the beam may vary, for example, as between
structural members making up the column shoulders 18 and the vertical
portions of the columns 17, as better seen in FIG. 2A.
Also shown in the Figure are rib indents 34, and boss or dimple indents 36
that extend into the interior of the beam profiles, anchoring the concrete
to the profiles. The dimple indents in the bottom of the profiles provide
the important function of preventing movement of the concrete in the beam
when the beam is subjected to loading and unloading. Although not as
important as the dimple indents in the bottom, the rib indents further
prevent the concrete's movement under similar conditions. Although other
dimple shapes and sizes may be used, round dimples are commonly employed
having a diameter of from about 1 to 11/2 inches, and a height from about
1/16 to about 3/16 inch. Commonly, the dimples are positioned in
transverse rows across the bottom of the member and spaced about 1 to 2
inches apart, measured from dimple-edge to dimple-edge, with the
transverse rows being spaced about 1 to 3 inches apart. It will be
understood, however, that different spacing, dimple sizes and shapes may
also be employed without departing from the spirit of the invention.
While only one rib indent 34 is shown on each of the sides 35 of the
structural member, more than that number can be used if desired. Although
rib indents having different dimensions may be employed, typically, the
rib indents will extend into the interior of the structural member from
about 3/4 inch to 11/2 inch, and such indents will be from about 2 to 4
inches high.
Similarly, while beam members having different measurements may be
employed, the wings of the beams will usually be from about 21/2 inches to
31/2 inches wide, and the bottom of the beam will be from about 7 inches
to 9 inches wide, with the open top being from about 9 inches to 11 inches
wide. The sides of the beams will normally range from about 11 inches to
17 inches high, based on their vertical dimension. As will be explained in
the following, the structural members of the invention are advantageously
made by the roll forming of steel sheet coils. When so fabricated, the
width of the coil will normally determine the height of the sides,
assuming the dimensions of the top and bottom of the structural member are
maintained constant. In the case of a structural member with wings 3
inches wide, a bottom 8 inches wide and an open top 10 inches wide, for
example, the vertical height of the sides will be about 163/4 inches when
fabricated from a 48 inch coil; about 123/4 inches when made from a 40
inch coil; and approximately 83/4 inches when a 32 inch coil is used.
While the beams can be made longer or shorter, ordinarily beams of from
about 10 feet to about 32 feet long are convenient both from a structural
and an erectional viewpoint.
The thickness of the metal from which the beams and columns are formed may
be varied from about 1/16 to 3/16 inch, and will depend upon the
structural requirements of the application contemplated.
With respect to the fabrication, a notable advantage of the structural
members of the invention is that they can be fabricated by roll formers
rather than by stamping processes. In fact, since it is important that the
surfaces of adjacent members, for example, beam members resting in column
shoulders, be characterized by a close fit, the roll forming procedure is
of significant advantage since it allows more precise dimensions to be
achieved. In forming the dimples 36, it will often be found desirable to
use an eccentric press, for instance, of the 100 ton variety, provided
with an appropriate die and a continuous feeder mechanism.
In some instances, particularly where greater strength is required, it has
been found desirable to position reinforcing bars 37 in the structural
profile members. This may be done by positioning the reinforcing bars on
transverse supporting members 39 placed on the interior of the structural
members. The fact that the structural members have an "open" top allows
the positioning of the bars within the members to be readily accomplished.
Thus, the steel/concrete composite structural members of the invention can
be strengthened further if need be without increasing the thickness, and
therefore the weight, of the profiles, a notable advantage of the
invention. While only one tier of reinforcing bars is shown in the Figure,
additional tiers may be employed if desired. Although such reinforcement
is normally positioned in the lower 1/3 of the structural member, it may
be positioned elsewhere if desired. A further advantage of the structural
profiles contemplated by the invention is that they have open tops,
facilitating placement of the reinforcement bars described.
FIG. 2A is a partial front elevation of a structural member juncture
showing the interconnection of structural beam members with a structural
column member. As shown, a vertical portion 17 of the column 16, having a
shape similar to the transverse cross-section shown in FIG. 2, connected
by welding to the horizontal column shoulder 18 by means better
illustrated in others of the Figures. A structural beam member 14 is shown
being supported by the shoulder 18 while a another structural beam 14a is
attached to the vertical portion of the column by means of a beam flange
24 connected to the column by bolts, not shown. Indenting of the beams
including both rib indents 34, and dimple indents 36 is illustrated.
The height of the vertical portion of the column 17 may be varied, but
normally, will be from about 8 feet to 15 feet high, 11 feet being
typical, and the column will have a shoulder length of from about 16
inches to 20 inches. Although not normally included, indenting of the
column may be employed if desired.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a structural member juncture showing the
interconnection of a structural beam member with vertically aligned
structural column members. In the Figure, as in others of the Figures
included herewith, indentation of the respective members has not been
illustrated in the interest of simplification. As shown, two columns, 16
and 16a respectively, are held in axial alignment by means of spacer bolts
48, better seen in FIG. 4. The spacer bolts engage shoe flange 46 by means
of its associated flange 44 about which the upper column 16a is
positioned, being held by fastener bolts 50. A structural beam 14 rests
in, and is supported by the column shoulder 18 connected by weld joint 22
to the vertical portion of the column 16. The spacer bolts 48 serve both
to align the superimposed column 16a, as well as to fasten the columns
together in a way that provides a gap between the columns of sufficient
height to accommodate a concrete floor extending therebetween.
FIG. 4 shows a front elevation of a spacer bolt, including its associated
nuts and washers. The Figure illustrates how the flange 44 of shoe 46,
illustrated for example in FIG. 3, is held between washers 62 positioned
below bolt head 64, and above larger nut 58, respectively. Between the
larger diameter shank 52 of spacer bolt 48 and its smaller diameter shank
54 is a shoulder 56 which rests upon the shoulder wings of a column
shoulder 18 when the spacer bolt is inserted through a hole in the wings.
Smaller nut 60, threadably engaging smaller diameter shank 54 completes
the assembly and bolts the two columns securely together.
By suitably fabricating the length of the larger diameter shank 52, the
clearance between the aligned columns may be varied to accommodate
whatever floor height is desired. Commonly, however, the height of the
shank will be selected to accommodate a floor of from about 4 to 5 inches
high.
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a structural member juncture showing the
interconnection of two structural beam members with vertically aligned
structural column members. In this Figure, column 16 is connected to
column 16a be means of spacer bolts 48 connecting the shoulder wings 38 of
column shoulder 18 to the flange 44 of a single column shoe 46 about which
column 16a is positioned. Again fastener bolts 50 attach the shoe to the
column wings 40a. The vertical portion of the column 16 is connected to
the column shoulder 18 by means of a weld joint 22, the shoulder acting as
a support for the structural beam 14 enclosed therein and connected
thereto by fastener bolts, not shown. Another structural beam member 14a
is connected to the column wings 40 of the vertical portion of column 16
by means of fastener bolts 50 extending through a beam flange 24 connected
to the beam 14a. The Figure illustrates the case in which a single column
is employed for the structural member juncture, in contrast to a double
column, as better seen in FIG. 9. In the case of the single column, one of
the supported beams lies within the shoulder of the column, the other
being bolted to the wings of the column's vertical portion. In the case of
the double column, both beams lie in adjacent column shoulders.
FIG. 6 is an isometric partial view of a structural frame for a building
illustrating the use of double structural column members. Shown in the
Figure is a one story structure employing two single columns 16, held in
such position, back-to-back, by fastener bolts, not shown, to form a
double column 66. The double column rests on a double column base plate 68
and supports two structural beams 14 in the column shoulders 18. Two
adjacent spans 23 are shown spaced apart by means of spacer beam members
28. Supported on the beams of the adjacent spans is floor paneling 30. The
spacer beams 28 not only assist in correct spacing of the spans during the
erection process, but helps to maintain that spacing and rigidify the
structure even after its completion.
In the process of erection, the columns are set in place and the structural
beams are positioned so to be supported by the columns, either by flanges
or by column shoulders, as the case may be, and bolted together. Following
such placement and interconnection, the concrete is poured in the beams
and columns, and over floor panels fastened to the beam members, as will
be described in more detail in the following. If desired, reinforcing bars
may be positioned in the columns, as well as in the beams, to provide
extra strength. After the concrete has set, and if desired, subsequent
floors can be constructed by axially aligning columns on top of the first
floor columns, supporting new beams therein, attaching floor paneling and
proceeding generally as in the case of the first floor. Subsequent floors
may be added in like fashion.
FIG. 7 is a top view of a structural column member with structural beam
members and spacer beam members. The Figure illustrates a single column
16, including an attached column shoulder 18 with spacer beams 28
connected thereto by fastener bolts 50 passing through the column wings
40. On one side of the column a structural beam 14 is supported in column
shoulder 18, while another structural beam 14a is connected to the column
16 by a beam flange 24. As previously related, although not filled with
concrete, the spacer beams 28 provide spacing and additional rigidity to
the spans both during and after their erection.
FIG. 8 is an exploded front elevation view of a double structural column
member with its associated structural beam members, floor panels, and
connecting shouldered U-bolts.
The Figure illustrates the use of a double column 66 comprising two single
columns 16 held in a back-to-back position by means of fastener bolts 50.
The construction is used where two long spans are to be erected adjacent
to each other with no short span in between, although the double columns
can be used elsewhere as well. As shown, two structural beams 14 and 14a
are placed in the column shoulders 18 and 18a, respectively. Finally, a
floor panel 30 is positioned on the shoulder wings 38 of the columns and
fastened thereto by means of shouldered U-bolts 70, better seen in
connection with FIG. 10. The floor panel 30 not only serves as a base and
as a form for the concrete flooring, not shown, but provides reinforcing
both to the floor and to the structure itself. If desired, reinforcing bar
may be positioned in the concrete on top of the floor panel.
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a structural member juncture showing the
interconnection of vertically aligned double structural column members
with two structural beam members. Again, the double columns 66 are formed
from two single columns 16, the vertical portion 17 of each of which is
connected by weld joints 22 to column shoulders 18. In axial alignment and
superimposed over the lower double column is a double column shoe 72
attached to the column wings 40 of the lower double column by means of
spacer bolts 48 extending from holes in the wings to holes in the double
column shoe flange 74. Only one of the single column members 16a making up
the upper double column is shown, fastened to the double column shoe 72 by
means of fasteners 50. A structural beam 14a is also illustrated
positioned in, and supported by one of the column shoulders 18.
Shoe 74 serves both to align the superimposed double columns with each
other, as well as to reinforce the anchor point of the upper column. As
previously indicated, where double columns are used, the structural beams
forming part of the structural member juncture are supported by being
placed in the column shoulders and secured there by fasteners, better seen
in FIG. 10, rather than by a connection involving a beam flange 24, as
illustrated in FIG. 5.
FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a structural member showing the
interconnection of a structural beam member, structural end beam members,
and a structural column member, the structural beam member being shown
with associated floor panels and shouldered U-bolts. The U-bolts serve the
important function of assuring that the beam members and floor panels
attached thereto "work" together in an integrated relationship. In FIG.
10, a column 16 including a vertical portion 17 and a column shoulder 18,
and fastened together by weld joint 22 are shown with structural end beams
26 attached to the wings of the column by means of fasteners 50. A
structural beam 14 is supported in column shoulder 18 and bolted thereto
by fastener bolts 50. Attached to the beam wings 32 by means of shouldered
U-bolts 70 are floor panels 30. The concrete 77 for filling structural
beam 14 and forming the flooring is also illustrated. While the structural
end beams 26 are not portrayed with concrete therein, anchor bolt 78
designed to help anchor concrete placed therein is illustrated.
It will be observed that the end beams 26 of the Figure have a beam wing 32
only on one side thereof. This permits the opposite side of the structural
end beam to form a flush surface with the open side of the vertical
portion 17 of column 16, permitting the outside facade of the building to
lie substantially in a single plane. Such construction permits the outside
of the building to be finished in a pleasing fashion with no discordant
protrusions extending therefrom.
While end beams 26 are shown without indents extending into the interior
thereof to stabilize the concrete included therein, they may be so
furnished if desired.
The number of fasteners 50 connecting the column shoulder 18 and structural
beam 14 together will be determined by engineering stress calculations,
based upon the anticipated stress on the juncture. The fasteners are shown
extending substantially into the interior of the structural beam, an
expedient that allows them to serve as concrete anchors, as well as
fasteners.
While the horizontal portions of the structural member profiles
contemplated by the invention may be filled with concrete, which is held
therein by gravity during the setting process, in order to fill the
vertical portions 17 of the column 16, temporary plywood facing may be
fastened over the open portion thereof by means of clips snapped over the
plywood and wings of the column, thereby allowing concrete to be poured
and retained within the column. After the concrete has set, the clips and
plywood facing may be removed.
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a lath screen jacket for a structural beam
member of the invention. The lath screen 80, which is attached as better
seen in connection with FIG. 12, allows structural members to be
fireproofed by serving to hold concrete sprayed or otherwise applied
thereon. It also facilitates covering the outside of the structural
members with decorative plaster or other mastics where that is desirable.
FIG. 12 is an end view of a clad structural beam member fastened to deck
panels with shouldered U-bolts. As shown, lath screening 80 is fastened to
the outside of a structural beam 40 by means of a shouldered U-bolt 70.
Applied to the outside of the lath screening 80 is a layer of lath coating
82 which may be concrete, plaster, or other desired mastic material.
The U-bolts are similar in operation to the spacer bolts 48 in that they
include a larger diameter shank 84, and a smaller diameter shank 86, with
a shoulder 90 formed at the juncture of the two. This enables the smaller
diameter portion of the bolt 86 to extend through the floor panel 30 and
beam wing 32 while the larger diameter shank 84 is retained above the
floor paneling by virtu | | |
