U.S. patent application number 12/932740 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for shear wall building assemblies.
Invention is credited to James P. Antonic.
Application Number | 20110154754 12/932740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38426704 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110154754 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Antonic; James P. |
June 30, 2011 |
Shear wall building assemblies
Abstract
Novel building systems, in particular low cost superior strength
building assemblies incorporating single or double shear walls, and
disaster resistant window attachments are described herein. The
inventive building systems are particularly well-suited for adding
rooms to existing buildings, such as attached residential room
additions, basements, disaster relief housing, and Do-It Yourself
(DIY) projects.
Inventors: |
Antonic; James P.; (Ft.
Myers, FL) |
Family ID: |
38426704 |
Appl. No.: |
12/932740 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11356482 |
Feb 17, 2006 |
7900411 |
|
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12932740 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/210 ;
52/204.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 2001/2463 20130101;
E06B 3/6621 20130101; E04B 2001/2481 20130101; E02D 27/14 20130101;
E04B 2001/2496 20130101; E04B 2001/2454 20130101; Y02A 50/14
20180101; E04H 9/14 20130101; E04B 2001/2484 20130101; E04B
2001/2466 20130101; E02D 27/02 20130101; E06B 2001/626
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/210 ;
52/204.1 |
International
Class: |
E06B 1/36 20060101
E06B001/36 |
Claims
1. A window fenestration assembly suitable for integration into a
building system, said window fenestration assembly comprising: a) a
top horizontal member and a bottom horizontal member each secured
to a pair of vertical members; b) a window assembly comprising a
window surrounded and encased by a frame; c) said horizontal and
vertical members comprising a pair of interior and exterior flanges
secured to one another by a central web portion, said web portion
comprising a top surface and a lower surface, said top surface, in
combination with said flanges, forming a female receptacle for said
window frame; d) one or more pads positioned upon said top surface
of said web portion of said bottom horizontal member and upon said
pair of vertical members, said window assembly positioned against
said pads; e) at least one chamber formed between one of said
flanges and said window frame along said bottom horizontal member;
f) at least one fill strip housed within said at least one chamber;
and g) a jamb secured over each of said at least one chamber to
enclosed said at least one fill strip therein.
2. The window fenestration assembly of claim 1, wherein said bottom
horizontal member further comprises a pair of intermediate flanges
extending downward from said lower surface of said web portion and
oriented with respect to said interior and exterior flanges to
create a pair of interior and exterior indentations, each of said
indentations configured to receive an underlying shear wall sheet
therein.
3. The window fenestration assembly of claim 1, further including a
quantity of loose fill material dispersed within gaps created
between adjacent pads and between said window frame and said
horizontal and vertical members of said window fenestration
assembly.
4. A window fenestration assembly suitable for integration into a
building system, said window fenestration assembly comprising: a) a
top horizontal member and a bottom horizontal member each secured
to a pair of vertical members; b) an elongated female C-channel
member secured to an upper surface of said bottom horizontal
member; c) said horizontal and vertical members comprising a pair
of interior and exterior flanges secured to one another by a
central web portion, said flanges and web portion, in combination,
comprising a mating surface for said female C-channel member; d)
said C-channel member comprising a first upwardly extending channel
and a second downwardly extending channel mating with said first
channel; e) one or more pads positioned within said first channel
of said C-channel member and upon said pair of vertical members,
said window assembly positioned against the pads; f) a chamber
created between said upper surface and exterior flange of said
bottom horizontal member and said first channel of said C-channel
member; and g) at least one fill strip housed within said
chambers.
5. The window fenestration assembly of claim 4, further including a
quantity of loose fill material dispersed within gaps created
between adjacent pads and between said window frame and said
C-channel member, top horizontal member, and vertical members of
said window fenestration assembly.
6. A window fenestration assembly suitable for integration into a
building system, said window fenestration assembly comprising: a) a
top horizontal member and a bottom horizontal member each secured
to a pair of vertical members; b) each of said horizontal and
vertical members comprising a pair of interior and exterior flanges
secured to one another by a central web portion to create an
interior female receptacle and an exterior female receptacle; c) a
window assembly comprising a window surrounded and encased by a
frame, said window assembly engaged within said interior female
receptacle of said horizontal and vertical members; d) said
vertical and horizontal members secured to edges of a solid wall
forming an opening for said window fenestration assembly, wherein
said edges of said solid wall are engaged with the exterior female
receptacles of said horizontal and vertical members; e) one or more
pads positioned within said interior receptacles of said horizontal
and vertical members, wherein said window assembly is positioned
against said pads; at least one chamber formed between one of said
flanges and said window frame along said bottom horizontal member;
g) at least one fill strip housed within said at least one chamber;
and h) a jamb secured over each of said at least one chamber to
enclosed said at least one fill strip therein.
7. The window fenestration assembly of claim 6, wherein said solid
wall is selected from the group of solid pre-cast concrete slabs,
hollow concrete blocks, structural insulated panels, and skeletal
support walls.
Description
[0001] This is a divisional application of Ser. No. 11/356,482,
filed Feb. 17, 2006, which will issue on Mar. 8, 2011 as U.S. Pat.
No. 7,900,411, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a novel building
systems, in particular low cost superior strength building
assemblies incorporating single or double shear walls. Such systems
are particularly well-suited for adding rooms to existing
buildings, such as attached residential room additions and Do-It
Yourself (DIY) projects. The inventive building systems are
additionally well suited for adding self standing low cost
outbuildings, for creating DYI housing shelters for enabling rapid
erection of emergency buildings in disaster areas, for use as
lightweight substantial military shelters. Another application of
the inventive building systems is for use as basic housing in a
wide variety of floor plans for affordable communities and as
improved strength exterior housing structural support shells
required as basic housing in developing nations. The inventive
building systems are also well suited for constructing residential
basements and other below and above grade support structures. In
coastal areas and flood plains, the inventive building systems are
useful as building support structures that elevate the buildings
above flood levels or act as structural walls that would, with
solid, open, cross-braced, or break-away sections, withstand
hurricane or tsunami surge effects. A great advantage in the
logistics of disaster recovery, for example, is to provide a
structural building system that is easy to transport and erect
quickly. The nesting profile shapes of the inventive structures
enable many units to be stored in a small space prior to
deployment, is a great advantage in the logistics of disaster
recovery. The ability to assemble a hurricane wind resistant shell
or earthquake resistant shell quickly, with little to no training,
with simple tools, and at a low cost in a disaster aftermath also
affords a superior benefit to the recovery efforts. Enabling homes
for those who would normally not be able to afford them is an
advance on the existing building methods. Using this inventive
building system enables all of the above benefits.
[0003] In disaster zones, double shear wall construction pursuant
to certain aspects of the present invention can be used to provide
safe rooms against wind, fire, flying debris, attacks, or military
ordinance. In combat zones, the inventive system can be quickly
assembled using double shear wall construction separated by a space
that can then be filled with bullet proof loose fill, such as sand,
for example, or compounded materials such as reinforced concrete or
resin bonded aggregate. Further features of the inventive building
systems include the ability of the system to form a wide variety of
exterior window and door layouts, door layouts in interior walls,
and a wide variety of interior wall floor plan arrangements to be
created without the use of additional parts. Any desired layout,
fenestration, and access/egress can be created as the structure is
being pieced together. Novel features of the inventive building
systems include the method construction and profiles of the window
and door openings that allow a wide variety of window types, sizes,
and thicknesses to be easily accommodated into position utilizing a
male/female interlock that is stronger and more resistant to
hurricanes and tornados at lower cost than the current
fenestrations available. Basic fenestrations of the inventive
system do not rely on mechanical or adhesive fasteners to secure
the window to the frame. While achieving superior attachment
strength the window constructions are able to easily remove or
replace damaged windows using ordinary hand tools. Another novel
feature of the door and window systems is that newly developed high
impact fenestration designs for hurricane resistant windows can
also be integrated into the building exterior frame quickly and at
a low cost without using mechanical or adhesive fasteners to secure
the window within the framing. Security from outside entry is
maintained in all the inventive designed fenestrations, yet
incorporates with the ability to easily replace or repair the
windows from the inside. This novel feature is not only applicable
to the existing inventive structure but certain aspects of it are
applicable to framing and walls made of wood, steel, concrete
block, or cast concrete as well, thereby enabling those
constructions to benefit from this novel feature while creating
lower cost simply designed window installations to be used with,
improved security, and easier servicing.
[0004] Another unique feature of the present invention is that the
various structural parts, when formed of composite materials, are
relatively light weight, very high strength, and are configured to
allow dense stacking to enable condensed shipping of up to twenty
small houses in a standard container, for example.
[0005] Specifically, in certain aspects, the present invention is
directed to a shear wall building system comprising at least four
corner posts, each of the posts arranged about a floor pad and each
having a top end and a bottom end. Each of the corner posts further
has a longitudinal outer body comprising four corners, the corners
including (i) a pair of diagonally opposing corners; (ii) an outer
most exterior corner positioned between the diagonally opposing
corners, and (iii) an inner most corner located diagonally opposite
the outer most exterior corner and between said pair of diagonally
opposing corners. At least one of the corner posts has a hollow
interior which may have housed therein a fill material (e.g. sand,
grout, resin bonded aggregate, concrete, and any other material
suitable for sound attenuation or thermal insulation).
[0006] The wall assembly further includes (a) a pair of exterior
shear wall sheets secured to each of the corner posts, each of the
shear wall sheets having a first outer edge secured to one of the
diagonally opposing corners of one of the corner posts, each of the
pair of exterior shear wall sheets oriented perpendicular to one
another; and (b) a pair of interior shear wall sheets secured to
each of the corner posts, each of the interior shear wall sheets
having a first outer edge secured to the inner most corner of one
of the corner posts, such that each of the pair of interior wall
sheets are oriented perpendicular to one another and parallel to an
immediately adjacent exterior shear wall sheet. More specifically,
the diagonally opposing corners of each of the corner posts may
include at least one longitudinal indentation extending from the
top end to the bottom end of the corner post, the indentation
configured to engage the outer edge of the exterior shear wall
sheet. In addition, the inner most corner of each of the corner
posts may include at least one longitudinal indentation extending
from the top end to the bottom end of the corner posts, such that
the interior indentation is aligned with and runs parallel to an
adjacent longitudinal indentation of one of the exterior diagonally
opposing corners.
[0007] The shear wall building system of the present invention
further includes one or more longitudinal sill plates having
opposite ends secured to adjacent corner posts along the floor pad;
one or more shear wall connecting studs secured within each of the
sill plates and positioned a distance from an adjacent corner post;
and at least one horizontal top plate secured to the top ends of
the studs and corner posts. The interior and exterior shear wall
sheets each further have a second outer side edge secured to one of
the shear wall connecting studs.
[0008] Certain embodiments of the connecting studs of the present
invention each have an interior flange and an exterior flange, with
the inventive building system further including (a) an interior
non-shear wall sheet adjacent the interior shear wall sheet and
secured to the interior flange of the connecting stud and the
corner post; (b) an exterior non-shear wall sheet adjacent the
exterior shear wall sheet and secured to the exterior flange of the
connecting stud and the corner post; and (c) air spaces created
between the exterior shear wall sheet and the exterior non-shear
wall sheets and between the interior shear wall sheets and the
interior non-shear wall sheets.
[0009] The shear wall building assembly may further include a
quantity of insulation housed between the exterior and interior
shear wall sheets and positioned such that a first air space is
created between the interior shear wall sheet and insulation and a
second air space is created between the exterior shear wall sheet
and insulation.
[0010] The inventive building system thus described may further
include at least one T-post secured to the sill plate and
positioned adjacent to the stud or corner post, the T-post having a
top end and a bottom end and two exterior longitudinal indentations
extending from the top and bottom ends of the T-post, the exterior
indentations oriented adjacent to one another and each configured
to receive an outer edge of one of the exterior sheer wall sheets,
the T-post further including two interior indentations adjacent to
one another and each configured to receive an outer edge of one of
the interior shear wall sheets and a second interior wall sheets,
wherein the second interior wall sheet is oriented perpendicular to
the interior shear wall sheet within the interior indentation. In
certain embodiments, the T-post may have a hollow interior housing
a fill material (e.g. sand, grout, resin bonded aggregate, concrete
and other materials suitable for sound attenuation or thermal
insulation).
[0011] When T-posts are employed, an interior non-shear wall sheet
may be secured to the interior flange of the connecting stud and
the T-post and exterior non-shear wall sheet may be secured to the
exterior flange of the connecting stud and the T-post, with air
spaces created between air spaces created between the exterior
shear wall sheet and the exterior non-shear wall sheets and between
the interior shear wall sheets and the interior non-shear wall
sheets.
[0012] The bottom ends of each of the corner posts of the shear
wall building system are preferably engaged within a footing
submerged within the ground below the floor pad, the footing being
further filled with a cement material. Specifically, the footing
may comprise a base and an elongated tube extending from the base,
with the corner post being secured within the tube and the base and
tube being filled with a cement-containing material.
[0013] Other aspects of the present invention include a shear wall
panel for use in building construction. The shear wall panel
includes a pair of connecting studs, each of the studs having a top
end, a bottom end, an exterior end, and an interior end, the
exterior and interior ends having at least one longitudinal channel
extending from the top end to the bottom end of the stud. The shear
wall panel includes exterior and interior wall sheets, the exterior
shear wall sheet having outer side edges, each of the outer side
edges engaged in one of the exterior longitudinal channels of one
of the studs. The interior shear wall sheet also includes outer
side edges, each of outer side edges engaged in one of the interior
longitudinal channels of one of the studs. The panel also includes
a fill material housed between the interior and exterior shear wall
sheets. The fill material may include any material suitable for
thermal insulation and sound attenuation, sand, cement bonded
aggregate, resin bonded aggregate, and soil. In other embodiments
of the inventive shear wall panel, the fill material may be
positioned between the interior and interior shear wall sheets to
create a first air space between the interior shear wall sheet and
fill material and a second air space between the exterior shear
wall sheet and fill material. In certain embodiments, the fill
material may comprise a block of expanded polystyrene prills (EPS)
encased between the shear wall sheets.
[0014] The shear wall panel may further include (a) an interior
non-shear wall sheet adjacent the interior shear wall sheet and
secured to interior flanges of adjacent connecting studs; (b) an
exterior non-shear wall sheet adjacent the exterior shear wall
sheet and secured to exterior flanges of adjacent connecting studs;
and (c) air spaces created between the exterior shear wall sheets
and exterior non-shear wall sheets and between the interior shear
wall sheets and interior non-shear wall sheets.
[0015] The exterior and interior ends of each pair of connecting
studs of the inventive shear wall panel may further comprise one or
more of longitudinal channels extending from the top end to the
bottom end of the studs, each pair of channels configured to
receive an outer side edge of a sheer wall sheet. In addition, the
exterior end of each of the connecting studs may include an
exterior flange and at least one intermediate flange extending from
a central web portion of the stud to form the exterior longitudinal
channel, the interior end of each of the connecting studs including
an interior flange and at least one intermediate flange extending
from the web portion to form the interior longitudinal channel. The
exterior end of each of the connecting studs may further include
one or more intermediate flanges extending from the central web
portion to create a pair of exterior longitudinal channels, each
channel configured to receive an outer edge of a shear wall sheet,
and wherein the interior end of each of the connecting studs
includes a pair of intermediate flanges extending from the central
web portion to create a pair of interior longitudinal channels,
each of the interior channels configured to receive an outer edge
of a shear wall sheet.
[0016] The present invention is also directed to novel window
fenestration assemblies that may be incorporated within the
inventive building systems described herein or in other
conventional building systems. In certain aspects of the present
invention, the window fenestration assembly comprises (a) a top
horizontal member and a bottom horizontal member each secured to a
pair of vertical members and (b) a window assembly comprising a
window surrounded and encased by a frame. The bottom horizontal
member further comprises a pair of interior and exterior flanges
secured to one another by a central web portion, the web portion
comprising a top surface and a lower surface, the top surface, in
combination with the flanges, forming a female receptacle for the
window frame. In addition, the bottom horizontal member may also
include a pair of intermediate flanges extending downward from the
lower surface of the web portion and oriented with respect to the
interior and exterior flanges to create a pair of interior and
exterior indentations, each of the indentations configured to
receive an underlying shear wall sheet therein. The fenestration
assembly includes one or more pads positioned upon the top surface
of the web portion and upon the pair of vertical members, the
window assembly positioned against the pads. The fenestration
assembly includes at least one chamber formed between one of the
stud flanges and the window frame along the bottom horizontal
member. A jamb is further provided to enclose the chamber. The
fenestration assembly further includes at least one fill strip
housed within the chamber(s) and may also include a quantity of
loose fill material (e.g. of fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam
insulation) dispersed within gaps created between adjacent pads and
between the window frame and the horizontal and vertical members of
the window fenestration assembly.
[0017] Other embodiments of the inventive window fenestration
assembly include (a) a top horizontal member and a bottom
horizontal member each secured to a pair of vertical members and
(b) an elongated female C-channel member secured to an upper
surface of the bottom horizontal member, with the bottom horizontal
member further comprising a pair of interior and exterior flanges
secured to one another by a central web portion, the flanges and
web portion, in combination, comprising a mating surface for the
female C-channel member. The female C-channel member further
comprises a first upwardly extending channel and a second
downwardly extending channel mating with the first channel. This
second embodiment of the inventive window fenestration assembly
also includes (a) one or more pads positioned within the first
channel of the female C-channel member and upon the pair of
vertical members, the window assembly positioned against the pads
and (b) a chamber created between the upper surface and exterior
flange of the bottom horizontal member and the first channel of the
C-channel member. The fenestration assembly includes at least one
fill strip housed within the chamber and may also include quantity
of loose fill material (e.g. of fiberglass, mineral wool, and foam
insulation) dispersed within gaps created between adjacent pads and
between the window frame and the top horizontal member, vertical
members, and C-channel member of the window fenestration
assembly.
[0018] Alternatively, another embodiment of the inventive window
fenestration assembly comprises a top horizontal member and a
bottom horizontal member each secured to a pair of vertical
members. Each of the horizontal and vertical members further
include a pair of interior and exterior flanges secured to one
another by a central web portion, thereby creating an interior
female receptacle and an exterior female receptacle. The window
fenestration assembly includes a window assembly comprising a
window surrounded and encased by a frame, the window assembly
engaged within the interior female receptacle of the horizontal and
vertical members. The vertical and horizontal members are further
secured to edges of a solid wall that forms the opening for the
window fenestration assembly, wherein the edges of the solid wall
are engaged within the exterior female receptacles of the
horizontal and vertical members. One or more pads are positioned
within the interior receptacles of the horizontal and vertical
members, wherein the window assembly is positioned against the
pads. The fenestration assembly includes at least one chamber
formed between one of the stud flanges and the window frame along
the bottom horizontal member. A jamb is further provided to enclose
the chamber. The fenestration assembly further includes at least
one fill strip housed within the chamber(s) and may also include a
quantity of loose fill material dispersed within gaps created
between adjacent pads and between the window frame and horizontal
and vertical members of the window fenestration assembly. The solid
wall to which this embodiment of the fenestration assembly may be
secured includes solid pre-cast concrete slabs, hollow concrete
blocks, structural insulated panels, and skeletal support
walls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the corner post of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a T-post of the present
invention used to create the junction for interior walls or
structural supporting walls.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the shear
wall connecting studs of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a slightly modified version
of the stud shown in FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
shear wall connecting studs of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a slightly modified version
of the stud shown in FIG. 4.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the exterior sill plate
secured to a temporary form with stakes to secure the form to the
ground prior to the concrete pour. The exterior sill plate is
attached to the form and imbeds the concrete when fabricating the
underlying floor pad of the building.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the four corner posts
engaged within a footing mechanism and exterior sill plates
attached to the corner posts.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a top sectional view of a corner section of the
building, illustrating interior and exterior shear wall sheets
secured to a corner post and two types of shear wall connecting
studs.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a top sectional view of an inner section of the
building, illustrating interior and exterior shear wall sheet
secured to a T-post and shear wall connecting studs.
[0029] FIG. 8A is perspective view of a section of the assembled
building showing the shear wall sheets seated within sill plates of
the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 8B is perspective view of a section of the assembled
building similar to that shown in FIG. 8A, but instead showing the
shear wall sheets seated within simple C-channel plates of the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a corner section of the
assembled building showing the shear wall sheets seated within both
a sill plate of the present invention and a simple C-channel
plate.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a front view of the assembled building per the
present invention, illustrating a window opening and the wall
assemblies above and below the opening.
[0033] FIG. 10A is a top sectional view of a shear wall panel
section of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 10B is a top sectional view of a second shear wall
panel section of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the shear wall panel
similar to that shown in FIG. 10A, wherein the insulation material
is a block of expanded polystyrene prills (EPS) in phantom.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the
surrounding window opening frame section of the inventive building
design showing a novel window frame housing assembly.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the
surrounding window opening frame section of the inventive building
design showing a second novel window frame housing assembly.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the
surrounding window opening frame section that may be used in lieu
of the window frame housing assembly shown in FIG. 12.
[0039] FIG. 13A is a sectional view of fourth embodiment of the
surrounding window opening frame section wherein the underlying
wall section is a solid structural insulated panel (SIP) formed of
wood, pre-cast concrete slab, or hollow concrete block(s).
[0040] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the window frame
housing assembly illustrated in FIG. 13 fixed on top of a second
embodiment of the inventive connecting stud.
[0041] FIG. 15 is a side view of FIG. 6, showing two of the
footings submerged beneath the ground.
[0042] FIG. 16 is a top view of a building layout using the
inventive shear walls and connecting studs, wherein two sets of
double shear walls are arranged to form an inner room, with the
space created between the two sets of walls containing a fill
material suitable for providing added strength.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0043] Referring now to the figures, the present invention is
directed in part to an easy to assemble building system that
incorporates novel structural stud designs and corner post designs
in the assembly of the shear wall panels forming the building
system. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the inventive building
system comprises at least four corner posts 11 arranged about a
concrete floor pad F. As shown in the figures, the corner posts are
preferably submerged underground beneath the floor pad within
footings 30, as discussed in greater detail below with respect to
the method of assembling the components of the inventive building
assembly. The corner posts preferably have a hollow interior 19
which may be subsequently filled with a fill material suitable for
sound attenuation, thermal insulation, fire proofing, or increased
load strength. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to,
concrete, grout, sand, dirt, fiberglass, foam insulation, mineral
wool, and the like.
[0044] Each corner post 11 has a pair of diagonally opposing
corners which are preferably longitudinal L-shaped indentations 17,
as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. These corners 17 are configured to
engage the outer edges of an exterior wall sheet, preferably an
exterior shear wall sheet 60 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8C. The wall
sheet may be fastened to the corner from the outside via adhesives
and/or screws 9, as shown. The corner post also includes an
outer-most corner 13 and an inner most corner 15 located diagonally
opposite the outer corner 13, as shown. Preferably, the inner-most
corner 15 comprises at least one L-shaped indentation 15a similar
to the adjacent indentations 17. The inner indentations 15a are
configured to engage the outer edges of an interior wall sheet 62,
preferably a shear wall sheet. As shown best in FIGS. 7 and 8C, the
interior wall sheets 62 are oriented perpendicular to one another
and parallel to an immediately adjacent exterior wall sheet 60.
[0045] The opposite outside edges of the interior and exterior
shear wall sheets are secured to a wall connecting stud 40, as
shown in FIGS. 7 and 8C. In a preferred embodiment, the stud 40
includes a top end 40a and a bottom end 40b as well as an exterior
end comprising an exterior flange 44 and an interior end comprising
an interior flange 42 (FIGS. 3-3A). Each of the ends has a
longitudinal channel 45, 47, each channel defined by the exterior
44 and interior 42 flanges in combination with intermediate flanges
43, 41 (FIG. 3) extending from a central web portion 49 of the
stud, as shown.
[0046] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the stud wherein
channels 45, 47 extend on each side of the web portion 49 in order
to accommodate shear wall sheets on each side of the web portion
49. The stud 40.sup.1 shown in FIG. 3A is similar to that shown in
FIG. 3, except the intermediate flanges 43.sup.1, 41.sup.1 are much
smaller. The remaining components of the stud (i.e. channel
45.sup.1, 47.sup.1, top and bottom ends 40.sup.1a, 40.sup.1b,
flanges 42.sup.1, 44.sup.1 and web portion 49.sup.1) remain the
same. FIG. 4 illustrates another stud embodiment 50, also having
top 50a and bottom ends 50b as well as exterior 54 and interior 52
flanges. Unlike the stud 40, the stud 50 only has intermediate
flanges 53 extending from one side of the web portion 59 to form
channels 55, 57. The stud 50.sup.1 shown in FIG. 4A is similar to
the stud 50 design shown in FIG. 4, except the intermediate flanges
53.sup.1 are much smaller (the remaining components of the
stud-channel 55.sup.1, 57.sup.1, top and bottom ends 50.sup.1a,
50.sup.1b, flanges 52.sup.1, 54.sup.1 and web portion 59.sup.1)
remain the same. These latter embodiments (i.e. stud designs shown
in FIGS. 4-4A) is preferred for forming the jamb surrounding a door
way or window opening of the framing, with the flanges 53, 53.sup.1
oriented toward the shear wall panels, and the side of the web
portion 49 without intermediate flanges 53, 53.sup.1 being oriented
toward the interior of the rough opening of the window or door way.
In both stud embodiments, the side edge of a shear wall sheet is
engaged within the channels 45, 47, 55, 57.
[0047] As discussed in more detail below, the wall connecting studs
40, 50 are secured within a sill plate 70 or a C-channel bottom
plate 86b that is either fastened to or embedded within the floor
pad F. For ease of explanation, the remaining discussion will refer
to the use of a sill plate. Consequently, "sill plate," as used
herein, shall mean and include the designs illustrated herein, in
the Inventor's Co-Pending Applications (as later defined herein),
the C-channel bottom plates 86b shown herein and in the Inventor's
Co-Pending Applications, as well as other conventional sill plates
now known or later developed. For example, while FIG. 8C shows both
the employment of the inventive sill plate 70 and C-channel bottom
plate 86b, either or both (as shown) types of plates 70, 86b may be
employed for the two corner wall sections shown.
[0048] To frame out an interior room or to create a structural
support wall of a building, a T-shaped wall joining post 21
(hereinafter referred to as "T-post") is employed, as shown in
FIGS. 2 and 8, for example. A section is cut out of the interior
wall 74 of the sill plate 70, and a C-channel bottom plate 86b is
fixed to the floor pad F, mating with the sill plate 70 to
accommodate the interior portion 22 of T-post 21 (see FIG. 15). The
T-post 21 is positioned adjacent a shear wall connecting stud 40,
50 as shown in FIGS. 8, 8A, and 15, or adjacent a corner post (FIG.
8C). Like the corner post 11, the T-post 21 has a top end 26, a
bottom end 27, and two exterior longitudinal L-shaped indentations
25a extending the length of the post (i.e. from the top end 26 to
the bottom end 28). The exterior indentations are oriented adjacent
to one another and are each configured to receive an outer edge of
an exterior wall sheet 60, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A. The T-post
21 further includes two interior indentations 23a adjacent to one
another, each configured to receive an outer edge of an interior
shear wall sheet 62 (running parallel to an opposite exterior wall
sheet 60 as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 15) as well as a second
interior wall sheet 64, preferably a shear wall sheet, running
perpendicular to the interior shear wall sheet 62 to form the
structural attachment from the interior wall to the exterior wall
and to divide one or more interior rooms, referenced generally at R
in FIG. 8.
[0049] The space 98 between adjacent shear walls in the building
system (see FIGS. 7-8) may remain hollow or be filled with a solid
or packaged insulation material I as shown in FIG. 10A. The space
98 may also be filled with soil, sand, cement bonded aggregates,
resin bonded aggregates, or other materials X suitable for thermal
insulation, sound attenuation, increased load strength, and/or fire
proofing, as shown in FIG. 10B. Similarly, the interior 27 of the
T-posts 21 and interior 19 of the corner posts 11 may be filled
with similar fill materials as desired for thermal insulation,
sound attenuation, increased load strength, and/or fire proofing.
Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, various
aggregate materials, such as sand, small rocks; various insulation
materials such as closed cell and open cell foam, rock wool,
expanded polystyrene prills (EPS) or fiberglass; mixtures of resin
binders such as polyurethane, phenolic, polyester, sodium silicate,
and the like, bonded with sand or other aggregate material; various
cement mortar mixtures, cement concrete, and bonded flowable fills
such as cement or resin bonded waste materials such as fly ash,
slag, or other waste material residues. In one embodiment, as shown
in FIG. 10C, the use of EPS blocks I.sup.1 (shown in part in
phantom lines) between the studs 40 and shear panels 60, 62
replaces structural insulated panels (SIPS) commonly used in the
prior art. Typical SIP panels comprise an EPS block coated with an
adhesive on both sides, after which the shear panels are applied
and the sandwiched panel is stacked and pressed until the adhesive
is cured. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 10C, the
adhesives, coating, tacking, pressing, and curing are eliminated by
encasing the EPS block I.sup.1 within the shear panels 60, 62, the
top plate 86a, panel stud interlocks as described in the Inventor's
Co-Pending Applications as defined below, and studs 40 (or T-posts)
that are mechanically or adhesively fastened to the edges of the
shear panels, thereby effectively encapsulating and containing the
insulating EPS between the shear panels.
[0050] These same fill materials may also be used to fill the
hollow interiors 19, 27 of the corner posts and T-posts, or spaces
2 where the double shear walls 60, 62 may be used as one set of
shear sheets (see FIGS. 7-8) or built as two parallel walls
1.sup.1, 2.sup.1 containing two sets of shear wall sheets 60, 62
separated by a space Y between the two parallel walls to provide
safe havens for category 5+ storms, safe rooms, or bullet resistant
rooms in combat areas, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 16. As
shown in FIG. 16, the building B comprises an interior room R.sup.1
with an entrance way leading into the room referenced generally at
O.
[0051] The corner posts 11, T-posts 21, and shear wall connecting
studs 40, 50 are all preferably composite pultrusions, the
composite materials that may be employed being those described in
the present inventor's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
11/116,769 (filed Apr. 28, 2005) and 11/249,650 (filed Oct. 13,
2005), both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties and collectively referred to herein as "Inventor's
Co-Pending Applications." Similarly, the shear wall sheets may be
formed of any material commonly used in the building construction
industry suitable for use in fabricating shear walls, including,
but not limited to, concrete board, plywood, Oriented Strand Board
(OSB), Hardi Board, cementitious boards, backer boards, Masonite
boards, fiberglass boards, gypsum boards, ceramic boards, MgO/MgCl
DRAGONBOARD (manufactured by Pioneer Building Products of Taishan,
Ltd., Guangdong, China; distributed by Fairmount Distributors,
Jersey City, N.J.), fiberglass reinforced plaster boards, metal
clad boards and boards fabricated from adhered layers of metals,
sheeted cloth, woven fibers, insulation, wood, or similar sheeted
materials. The preferred shear panel material is DRAGONBOARD. For
increased penetration resistance, bonded fabrics of Aramid
(Kevlar), fiberglass, carbon fiber, basalt, and special purpose
exotic materials and the like which may be combined with organic
and inorganic materials as part of a resistive barrier wall
assembly designed to resist category 5 storms, tornadoes,
earthquakes, or bullets, for example, or per pursuant to other
regulatory ordinances.
[0052] The building system of the present invention is particularly
well-suited for easily adding rooms to existing buildings, such as
residential homes, as do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, as well as for
adding low cost outbuildings, creating affordable homes for use in
developing nations, enabling rapid erection of emergency buildings
in disaster areas, and for use as lightweight substantial military
shelters, for example. A preferred method of assembly is described
below with respect to a four-sided building. It will be appreciated
by those of ordinary skill in the art that buildings having
different floor plan configurations may be assembled using the
structural components described and illustrated herein. In
addition, the studs 40, 50 of the inventive building system can be
used as roof supports in hurricane resistive roof structures
[0053] As discussed above, the corner posts may be fastened
directly to an underlying concrete floor pad F, such as that
described in the Inventor's Co-Pending Applications, or as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 15, the corner post may be maintained within footings
30 that are submerged within holes dug into the ground. Each
footing comprises a base 32 that is placed within a hole
approximately 4 feet (i.e. 1.25 m) deep (or sufficiently deep so as
to be below the frost line in the zone where the structure is being
built) and an elongated tube 34 that extends above the base as
shown, but still approximately 1 foot (i.e. 0.3 m) below the ground
level G. The tube 34 is preferably fabricated of a cardboard
material; however, other light-weight materials may be employed
instead, such as plastic piping Once the footings 30 are all placed
within their respective holes, concrete is poured into the tube 34
to fill the tube 34 and base 32. [Concrete or any other
cement-containing material may be used; however, for ease of
explanation, the remaining discussion will refer to concrete.] The
base 32 may alternatively be formed from a wood box or bag of cloth
(not shown) sufficiently strong to retain the concrete. An inverted
footing 30 may be used as a funnel to facilitate the concrete pour
into the submerged footing 30. A corner post 11 is then inserted
through the tube 34 and into the concrete in the footing, the
corner post 11 then consequently being held in place by the
concrete. The holes containing the footings/corner posts are then
backfilled with dirt, and the corner posts adjusted to a plumb
vertical position locating the corner or angle of the structure
being built. Exemplary footings are the bell-shaped pre-molded
concrete construction footing forms vended by Bigfoot Systems, Inc.
(Nova Scotia, Canada).
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 6, for example, sill plates 70 are
arranged about the corner posts and cut at each end at 45 degrees
and in a pattern to fit the corner posts. [Alternatively, C-channel
bottom plates 86b may be employed instead of the inventive sill
plates 70, as shown in FIG. 8C, for example; however, for ease of
explanation, the remaining discussion will be with respect to the
sill plates 70, the phrase "sill plate" including c-channel bottom
plates, as discussed above]. Preferably, the sill plates 70 are
initially secured to a temporary lumber form 99 defining the
perimeter outline of the floor pad to be filled with concrete, such
forms laid out as a 2 inch.times.4 inch lumber form, as shown in
FIG. 5. The combination sill plate/form is secured to the
underlying ground using stakes S, as best shown in FIG. 5, such
that the stake side of the form faces the outside of the building
and the three underlying angled plates 73 face the inside of the
building. Prior to the concrete pour, re-enforced steel rebar or
mesh (not shown) may be laid down between the sill plates 70, as is
generally done in fabricating concrete foundations in conventional
building construction. When the concrete is poured, the concrete
runs and is hand rammed under the angled plates 73 and against the
back wall plate 71 of the sill plate, thereby embedding the sill
plate within the concrete foundation as the concrete hardens.
[0055] In areas where concrete is not available after disasters or
in developing nations, a similar floor could be made of asphalt,
clay, dirt, stones, sand, or of compacted materials from the region
that may typically be used in fabricating interior floors. The
lumber form 99 and stakes S may be removed, leaving the long
outside edge 76 of the sill plate exposed, the outside edge 76
functioning to deflect rain water and insects, similar to the sill
plate embodiment described in the Inventor's Co-Pending
Applications.
[0056] Next, interior shear wall sheets 62 and exterior shear wall
sheets 60 are placed inside the sill plate 70 as shown in FIG. 7,
with the exterior sheet 60 abutting the front wall 74 of the sill
plate and the interior sheet 62 on sheet abutting the back wall 76
of the sill plate. The edges of the sheets closest to the adjacent
corner post may then be mechanically and/or adhesively secured
within the interior indentations 15a, 15b of the corner post 11.
The top view of FIG. 7 shows best the alignment of respective shear
wall sheets within a corner post. The opposite edges of the shear
wall sheets are engaged within the corresponding longitudinal
channels 45, 47 of the connecting stud 40, as illustrated in FIGS.
3 and 7. Additional interior and exterior shear wall sheets are
secured within the adjacent longitudinal channels 45, 47 of the
stud 40, as shown in FIG. 7. The edge of the shear wall sheets may
then be mechanically and/or adhesively secured to the exterior
flanges 42, 44, as shown, using adhesives, screws or other suitable
fasteners typically used in the art. When the application of this
inventive system is used as an above ground support to elevate the
building above potential flood plains as may be found in coastal
areas, sections of the double shear wall structural sheeting can be
replaced with gypsum board or other non-structural sheeting or
cross buck shear wall design to provide areas where flood or surge
water can break away those non-structural sections or flow out
through openings in the cross bucks, thereby relieving pressure on
the entire structure. Such break-away sections relieve the water
pressures without altering the ability of the structure to support
the building above while still providing shear strength, preventing
side-to-side racking of the support structure and still provide
paths for the water to drain out as the water level recedes.
[0057] This progression of securing interior 62 and exterior 60
shear wall sheets within the underlying sill plate(s) and to
adjacent connecting studs 40 continues up to a first window opening
W (see FIG. 9) or door opening (not shown). Here, the connecting
stud 50 shown in FIGS. 4, 4A is used to form the vertical side
edges 92 of the window or door opening. Preferably, the connecting
stud 50 is cut to a desired length in order to form the horizontal
top edge 90 and horizontal bottom 91 edge of the window opening W
(FIG. 9). Preferably, before inserting the stud 50 to form the
bottom edge 91, conventional insulation or desired fill material is
first added into the lower wall section 97 of the framing as may
also be done to the wall section above the rough opening prior to
affixing the top plate 86a. Alternatively, C-channels may be cut
and affixed to the vertical studs 50 into which horizontal studs
50, 83, or 93 may be inserted, as shown in FIG. 14. Interior and
exterior shear wall sheets as well as connecting studs 40 are
likewise cut to a desired width in order to accommodate the
location of the window opening, as shown in FIG. 9. An exterior
strip of wood or polyester (not shown) may be applied to the
channels formed between the web portions and flanges of studs 50
lining the four inside edges 90, 91, 92 of the window opening to
create a nailing buck for attachment of windows or doors supplied
and fit conventionally by others.
[0058] Another aspect of the inventive building system is the
ability to install windows and doors without using mechanical
fasteners or adhesives to secure the window or door into the rough
opening. FIG. 11 illustrates a sectional view of a window opening,
wherein the window W.sup.1 is installed, and illustrates how the
top edges of the exterior and interior shear wall sheets 60, 62 may
be engaged within the channels 55, 57 of the stud 50.sup.1 used to
frame out the lower edge 91 of the window opening W (studs 50 and
50.sup.1 are identical, except stud 50.sup.1 is referenced
accordingly to indicated that it is positioned on the lower edge 91
of the fenestration). A narrow C-channel frame 85, such as that
shown in FIG. 11, is attached to a plate glass or insulated window
W.sup.1 with adhesive to serve as a frame surrounding and encasing
the one piece glass window W.sup.1 and to serve as a male channel
inserted into a female channel created between fill strips 3, 4
upon stud 50.sup.1, with fill strip 3 positioned on the exterior
side of the window and fill strip 4 positioned on the interior
side. The preferred C-channels 85 for framing the window are made
from a high strength pultrusion containing 70% to 85% fiberglass
content in order to have a nearly identical expansion and
contraction coefficient as the plate glass of the window W.sup.1.
Fill strips 3, 4 may be of different sizes depending upon the
thickness of the window frame 85 and are preferably formed of
plastic, wood, or other types of wood replacement materials that
are insect resistant, water-proof, and UV light stable. In the
preferred embodiment, the exterior fill strip 3 is adhesively
attached to stud 50.sup.1, lining the exterior perimeter of window
opening W. At least one expansion pad 96 is positioned upon the web
portion 59 of the stud 50.sup.1, after which the window W.sup.1 is
inserted into the rough opening W and onto the pads 96, and further
engaged within the studs 50 forming the vertical edges 92 of the
window opening W. The expansion pads 96 may also be placed along
the sides of the window opening between the frame 85 and studs 50
forming the vertical edges 92 of the window opening W (not shown).
The expansion pads 96 are preferably formed of rubber or similar
elastomeric material for the purpose of relieving expansion and
contraction stresses in the window that occur from day-to-day and
season-to-season. Preferably, two or more pads 96 (about 1/8 to 1/2
inch thick and about 2 to 3 inches wide, for example) are placed
below the window frame 85 along the web portion 59 of the lower
stud 50.sup.1 and spaced about every 16 inches. A quantity of fill
material (not shown), including but not limited to, fiberglass,
mineral wool, and foam insulation, may be added to surround the
window frame 85 and prevent air passage. Specifically, the fill
material fills in the gaps created between the window assembly and
the studs 50 framing the window opening W as well as the gaps
between adjacent expansion pads 96. An interior fill strip 4 is
then fitted into the interior chamber of the horizontal stud
50.sup.1 (FIG. 11), and both the interior and exterior fill strips
3,4 are capped with finishing jambs 94, 95 which are secured upon
the exterior 50b and interior 50a flanges of the stud and in turn,
are mechanically fastened to studs 50 50.sup.1 surrounding the
window at edges 91, 92. The window W.sup.1 does not need to be
fastened by any adhesive or mechanical fastener, yet it is securely
locked into position between fill strips 3, 4 and can be easily
repaired if damaged by removing the interior jamb 95 or exterior
jamb 94 and fill strips 3,4. Thus, a window W of any thickness may
be mounted within fenestration assembly formed by jambs 94, 95 and
horizontal stud 50.sup.1 to create a novel window frame housing
assembly. Caulking C or similar packing material is added to
tightly seal the window frame 85 against the elements and to
prevent air leakage. The interior 95 and exterior 94 window jambs
may be selected from weather proof board (e.g. polyester,
composite, marble, or wood) (not shown), if desired, and insulation
or fill material may be placed within the any gaps between the
pads, window jambs, and studs 50, 50.sup.1.
[0059] FIG. 12 is a sectional end view of another window
fenestration design wherein exterior and interior shear wall sheets
are not employed on the wall section 97 beneath the window opening
W. Instead, the structure of the wall (referenced generally as 97a)
may be a solid block of expanded polystyrene (EPS), solid pre-cast
concrete slab, hollow concrete block(s), or chamotte (clay/straw
mixture), forming a structural insulated panel (SIP).
Alternatively, the wall 97a beneath the window opening W may be
comprised of a solid panel or other solidly filled material, or it
may be comprised of a skeletal structure of steel, wood, or
composites (insulated or unfilled) (see FIGS. 12 and 13A), or a
combination of both within a single wall. Another difference
between the fenestration illustrated in FIG. 11 is that instead of
connecting stud 50 being employed horizontally or vertically to
form the edges 90, 91, 92 of the window opening, a simple I-stud 93
of the appropriate length is used to cap the wall structure.
Alternatively, the I-stud 93 may be secured to adjacent I-beam
studs 93.sup.1, as shown in FIG. 14, instead of stud 50, since
exterior and interior shear wall sheets are not used in this
particular, and more universally applied, window fenestrations. As
shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 13A, and 14, one of three different
specially-designed C-channel members 81, 83, 84 may be used to form
the horizontal edges 90, 91 and vertical edges 92 of the rough
window opening W. [In FIGS. 12, 13, and 13A, only the lower
horizontal edge 91 profile is shown.] In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, the specially designed C-channel members 81,
83 are further configured to securely engage the underlying I-stud
93 or solid wall SIP structure 97a, as discussed above, and the
window assembly. The embodiment shown in FIG. 13A is most suited
for engaging an underlying solid wall or SIP structure 97a. In this
embodiment, the C-channel member 84 comprises an interior female
receptacle 84a and an exterior female receptacle 84b, with the
exterior female receptacle 84b configured to engage the outer edge
of the solid wall 97a, for example, and the interior female
receptacle 84a configured to engage and totally surround the window
assembly W.sup.1, W.sup.2 within the window opening W. In all of
the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 13A, and 14, exterior fill
strips 3 and expansion pads 96 may also be used (see FIG. 12).
Finally, the fenestration design shown in FIG. 12, for example, is
especially well-suited for the window assembly W.sup.2 shown in
FIG. 12, which is comprised of a screen 8.sup.1 and a pair of
vertically sliding glass panels 8 surrounded by a window frame
casing 85.sup.1.
[0060] It will be readily recognized by those of ordinary skill in
the art that the window assemblies W.sup.1, W.sup.2 illustrated in
FIGS. 11-12, as well as any other window assembly designs now known
or later developed in the art, may be employed with any of the
window fenestration embodiments of the present invention
illustrated in FIGS. 11-13, 13A, and 14. Moreover, in FIG. 11, the
chambers (which are shown in FIG. 11 with fill strips 3, 4) may be
of different widths, depending upon the location of the window
assembly upon the stud 50.sup.1. Similarly, the window assembly
shown in FIG. 13 may also be moved anywhere upon the stud 83 in
order create chambers 94a, 94b of varying widths (for ease of
illustration, the chambers 94a, 94b shown in FIGS. 13-13A do not
contain fill strips or show screws penetrating therethrough). In
all of the window fenestration embodiments, the window assembly may
be positioned flush against the inner surface of the interior
flange 50a, 83b, 84b, of the bottom stud 50.sup.1, 83, 84, thereby
creating only one exteriorly positioned chamber 94a, as shown in
FIG. 13A and FIG. 12 (the chamber in FIG. 12 is shown with the fill
strip 3 inserted therein). Similarly, in all of the window
fenestration embodiments, the window assembly may be, instead,
positioned flush against the inner surface of the exterior flange
50b, 83a, 84a of the bottom stud, thereby creating only one
interiorly positioned chamber 94b. All of the chambers are capped
with a finishing jamb 94, 95, as shown.
[0061] Once the window opening (or similarly, a door opening) is
formed as described above, the progression of inserting connecting
studs 40 and shear wall sheets 60, 62 to each other within the
underlying sill plate 70 continues until another window opening or
door opening is reached. If a door way is desired, connecting stud
50 is also used to frame out the two sides of the door jamb and top
of the door opening, similar to the method using studs 50 for
framing out a window opening W, as discussed above. Strips of wood,
plastic, cementitious material, or nailable material may then be
mechanically and/or adhesively secured to the inside door jamb to
create nailing surfaces in order to conventionally hang a door, as
described in Inventor's Co-Pending Applications. Once the door is
secured within the door opening, the exterior of the door frame may
be finished for esthetics.
[0062] Assembly of the exterior wall of the building, including the
steps of framing out door and window openings, is continued as
described above until an inside wall location is desired or the
adjacent corner post is reached. For the creation of an inside wall
section, a simple slot is cut out of the interior wall 74 of the
sill plate 70, and a second C-channel member 86.sup.1b is butted
against the cut out section, thereby forming the sill plate for the
interior wall within which the interior wall sheets 64 are engaged
(FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C). The C-channel sill plate 86.sup.1b is
secured to the underlying foundation perpendicular to the exterior
sill plate 70 from which it extends. The front wall 74 of the
exterior sill plate 70 accommodates the T-post 21, which is
inserted and subsequently engaged within both sill plates 70,
86.sup.1b.
[0063] If desired, standard insulation may be used to fill the
hollow spaces 95 created between the interior and exterior shear
wall sheets 60, 62 or the hollow space 90 between the interior
sheets 64 extending from the T-posts 21 forming the interior rooms
of the building. If standard insulation is not used, these hollow
spaces may be filled with various fill material for insulation or
sound attenuation as described above after which a top plate 86,
86a (see FIGS. 8A-8C), such as a C-channel top plate illustrated in
the Inventor's Co-Pending Applications, is attached to the studs
40, 50 to seal the fill material therein and distribute the live
and dead loads from above. Once the C-channel top plate(s) 86a are
attached to the exterior perimeter wall of the building thus
constructed, truss mounts illustrated in the Inventor's Co-Pending
Applications, for example, or straps, may be secured to the
building, and straps may be added to locate and restrain trusses,
rafters, or the roof structure.
[0064] Once the building structure is assembled as described above,
the exterior of the building may be finished by applying decorative
board 88, brick, stucco, paint, stain, or any trowled-on surface
material. The interior of the building may be finished as well with
gypsum board 89, stucco, or any troweled-on surface material.
Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 10A, a space 2 is provided
between the shear wall sheets 60, 62 and the immediately adjacent
exterior 88 and interior 89 sheets (FIGS. 7-8) as well as between
shear wall sheets 60, 62 and the immediately adjacent insulation I
(FIG. 10A). Provision of this air space 2 is a unique feature of
the inventive design as it functions to channel away any water from
the wall which may have penetrated the roof or exterior finish,
thus enabling the wall to dry itself out after a rain or during
high humidity conditions, thereby preventing damage caused by
moisture, such as mold, mildew, or rising damp, for example.
* * * * *