U.S. patent application number 13/451927 was filed with the patent office on 2013-04-25 for composite concrete and framing system and method for building construction.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Joseph Francavilla. Invention is credited to John Joseph Francavilla.
Application Number | 20130097956 13/451927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48134795 |
Filed Date | 2013-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130097956 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Francavilla; John Joseph |
April 25, 2013 |
Composite Concrete and Framing System and Method for Building
Construction
Abstract
A composite building construction system and method comprising a
frame, wallboard, and a concrete layer wherein the wallboard is
attached to an exterior side of the frame and the concrete layer is
provided on the wallboard. A wire grid is attached to and spaced
apart from the wallboard to provide support for the concrete layer.
The resulting building construction composite provides enhanced
strength and stability due to the relatively thick layer of
concrete combined with the frame, which may comprise steel. The
wallboard comprises blueboard or similar insulating wallboard
material that preferably includes concrete adhesion
characteristics. The frame comprises outer framing members and
cross-members each of which may include apertures for receiving
plumbing and/or electrical wires. The apertures may also receive
conduits to protect the plumbing and electrical wires. An interior
side of the frame is configured to received drywall or other
interior housing finishing product.
Inventors: |
Francavilla; John Joseph;
(Royal Palm Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Francavilla; John Joseph |
Royal Palm Beach |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48134795 |
Appl. No.: |
13/451927 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61477677 |
Apr 21, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/424 ;
52/741.41; 52/745.09 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 1/14 20130101; E04B
1/16 20130101; E04F 13/04 20130101; E04B 2/845 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/424 ;
52/741.41; 52/745.09 |
International
Class: |
E04B 2/54 20060101
E04B002/54; E04B 2/00 20060101 E04B002/00; E04B 2/86 20060101
E04B002/86 |
Claims
1. A composite building construction system, comprising: a frame,
wallboard, and a concrete layer; wherein said wallboard is attached
to an exterior side of said frame; and wherein said concrete layer
is provided on said wallboard.
2. The composite building construction system of claim 1, further
comprising a wire grid attached to and spaced apart from said
wallboard, said grid providing a support structure for said
concrete layer.
3. The composite building construction system of claim 1, wherein
said concrete layer has a thickness of 3 inches.
4. The composite building construction system of claim 1, wherein
said frame including a plurality of outer framing members and one
or more cross members.
5. The composite building construction system of claim 4, wherein
said outer framing members and said one or more cross members
include one or more apertures for the routing of electrical wires
or plumbing.
6. The composite building construction system of claim 5, wherein
said apertures are adapted to receive conduits for protecting said
electrical wires and said plumbing.
7. The composite building construction system of claim 1 wherein
said frame member is prefabricated and coded for assembly.
8. The composite building construction system of claim 1, wherein
an interior side of said frame is configured to receive
drywall.
9. The composite building construction system of claim 1, wherein
insulation is disposed within said frame.
10. The composite building construction system of claim 1, wherein
said frame comprises steel.
11. The composite building construction system of claim 1, wherein
said wallboard comprises blueboard.
12. A method of building construction, comprising: providing one or
more frame sections; attaching wallboard to an exterior side of
said frame sections; attaching a wire grid to said wallboard such
that said wire grid is spaced apart from said wallboard; and
spraying a concrete layer over said wallboard and said wire
grid.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of: After
providing the one or more frame sections and before attaching
wallboard to an exterior side of said frame sections, assembling
said one or more frame sections to form a housing unit.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said one or more frame sections
are prefabricated and coded according to a building construction
plan.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein said frame comprises steel.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein said wallboard comprises
blueboard.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein said concrete layer has a
thickness of 3 inches.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein an interior side of said frame
is configured to receive drywall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/477,677 filed on Apr. 21, 2011.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to systems and methods of building
construction and more particularly to systems and methods including
a composite of concrete, framing, and other materials and
structures.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Conventional building construction typically comprises three
primary systems and methods: (1) wood stud construction; (2)
concrete block construction; and (3) concrete panel construction.
Wood stud construction system requires skilled carpenters to
assemble the pieces and cut lumber according to structural drawings
that require skilled interpretation. Concrete block construction,
wherein the perimeter of a housing unit is comprised of arranged
cinder blocks or concrete blocks in a structurally sound fashion,
is slow to put into place and requires a large number of skilled
masons to carry out effectively. Concrete panel construction,
wherein pre-cast panels are put into place against or in
conjunction with a framing system, requires heavy equipment to lift
and place the concrete panels, as well as a skilled work force to
build the structure that provides the framing template for the
panels.
[0006] Accordingly, the development of better building systems for
constructing low cost, efficient and easily built housing units has
been slowed by the need for skilled labor to assemble the
components required for the housing unit. In many locales, skilled
labor is in short supply and/or prohibitively expensive which has
restricted the ability to construct low cost housing units en
masse, particularly in underdeveloped countries. Other problems
with present building construction technology include the need to
build housing units at a low cost and quickly, the ability to build
housing units having a resilient construction that does not require
a great deal of maintenance, is strong structurally, and provides
desired insulation from the elements. Thus, in many countries, the
aspirations of having modernized housing units have slowly
waned.
[0007] The present invention provides an improved building
construction system and method designed to addressed the problems
outlined above and provides a systemized product that provides
housing for residential or commercial use, can be economically
constructed, does not need high level and expensive skilled labor,
is extremely strong and weather resistant, has excellent thermal
insulation, and requires low maintenance. It is, therefore, to the
effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and
shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is
directed. However, in view of the building construction system and
methods in existence at the time of the present invention, it was
not obvious to those persons of ordinary skill in the pertinent art
as to how the identified needs could be fulfilled in an
advantageous manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a composite building
construction system, comprising a frame, wallboard, and a concrete
layer wherein the wallboard is attached to an exterior side of the
frame; and the concrete layer is provided on the wallboard. In some
embodiments, a wire grid is attached to and spaced apart from the
wallboard to provide support for the concrete layer. In some
embodiments, the concrete layer is 3-inches thick. The resulting
building construction composite provides enhanced strength and
stability due to the relatively thick layer of concrete combined
with the frame, which may comprise steel. The wallboard comprises
blueboard or similar insulating wallboard material that preferably
includes concrete adhesion characteristics. The frame comprises
outer framing members and cross-members each of which may include
apertures for receiving plumbing and/or electrical wires. The
apertures may also receive conduits to protect the plumbing and
electrical wires. An interior side of the frame is configured to
received drywall or other interior housing finishing product.
Insulation may also be disposed within the frame itself for added
thermal insulation.
[0009] A housing unit or building may be constructed by providing
one or more frame sections each prefabricated and coded according
to a building plan. The frame sections are assembled together to
form a housing structure. Then the wallboard is attached to the
exterior sides of the frame sections, the wire grid is attached to
the wallboard, and then concrete is sprayed over the wire grid and
wallboard until the relatively thick concrete layer is formed. Once
the concrete has been cured, it can be finished with paint, stucco,
or other known housing unit finish materials. The interior side of
the frame can be finished with drywall.
[0010] The structural integrity of the present construction system
is greatly enhanced due to the relatively thick concrete layer
applied to the wallboard-frame combination. The completely
structure is capable of withstanding hurricane force winds,
earthquakes, and other weather conditions whereby the structure
exceeds national and local building codes to that effect. The
present invention provides a substantial improvement over the prior
art with respect to the simplicity and cost of construction, as it
does not require skilled laborers such as masons, carpenters, and
the like. The prefabrication and coding of the frame sections
enhances the ease-of-build even more.
[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a structurally sound and insulative building construction
composite.
[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a building construction system and method that does not require
skilled labors to assemble and construct.
[0013] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a building construction system and method that includes a
relatively thick concrete layer provide substantial structural
rigidity at a decreased cost.
[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a building construction system and method that can be assembled
more quickly than typical construction methods, even with the use
of unskilled laborers.
[0015] In accordance with these and other objects which will become
apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described
with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic of one embodiment of the
building construction system of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional cutaway view of one embodiment
of the building construction system of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
building construction system of the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of one embodiment of the
system of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a concrete layer being sprayed onto
the wallboard/frame in accordance with the present system and
method.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the
prior art by incorporating a combination of sprayed concrete onto
an insulation board which is cladding a steel stud frame. With
reference to FIG. 1, shown is an exploded schematic of one
embodiment of the system of the present invention arranged and
constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the method of the
present invention. Shown is a section, or a portion of a composite
construction system 1, comprising a frame 10, a wallboard 11, a
support grid 12, and a concrete layer 13. The system 1 is provided
as an wall structure for a building or housing unit and will
typically be assembled in sections as described in detail
below.
[0022] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wallboard 11 is
fastened to and disposed on an exterior side 101 of the frame 10.
In some embodiments, wallboard 11 is fastened to frame 10 by one or
more bolts 30 received through wallboard 11 and terminating within
a portion of frame 10 as shown in FIG. 3. A plurality of bolts 30
may be provided through wallboard 11 and into frame 10 to provide a
secure attachment of the two components. Other fasteners may be
used instead of bolts, such as screws, nails, staples, and the
like. The support grid 12 is spaced apart from but attached to
wallboard 11. Grid 12 may comprise a wire mesh grid, a rebar grid,
or similar rigid grid. As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments,
grid 12 is attached to wallboard 11 by ties 31 which are received
around both the grid 12 and a bolt 30. Other means of connecting
wallboard 11 to grid 12 may be employed, including brackets,
screws, bolts, staples, and the like.
[0023] In some embodiments, concrete layer 13 is sprayed over grid
12 such that the concrete adheres to wallboard 11 and has a
thickness extending away from wallboard 11. Grid 12 provides
structural support for the adherence of concrete layer 13 to
wallboard 11. In some embodiments, concrete layer 13 is applied in
multiple thin-layer applications in order to assure adherence and
structural rigidity with respect to wallboard 11. As depicted in
FIG. 2, concrete layer 13 is applied such that grid 12 is disposed
within the concrete layer 13; or, said differently, concrete layer
13 is disposed on either side of grid 12 and, in many cases, will
be disposed through grid 12 wherein grid 12 includes interstitial
gaps 121 (FIG. 1) by way of its grid configuration. In some
embodiments, it is preferred that concrete layer 13 have a
thickness of approximately 2-3 inches extending from the wallboard
however the thickness may vary depending on the desired application
and building plan.
[0024] In some embodiments, the stud frame 10 of the present
invention is constructed through use of a fabricating machine which
forms the studs from coiled metal (steel, aluminum, and the like)
and marks the components with coding to allow for quick, easily
assembled construction by workers who do not need high level
construction skills, rather they need only to match the markings
for assembly. FIG. 4 shows an example of one section of frame 10
shown having a generally square or rectangular shape. Shown is
frame 10 from the perspective of interior side 102 with wallboard
11 attached to the exterior side of frame 10. Frame 10 may include
outer framing members 103 and one or more cross members 104
providing a riding structural support system for building
construction. In some embodiments, the framing members 103 and 104
include one or more apertures 105 punched there-through. The
apertures 105 are configured to receive and channel electrical
wiring, plumbing, and the like. In some embodiments, conduits 106
are provided through apertures 105 and provide protection for
wiring or plumbing passed there-through. Further, the inside of the
frame 10 at interior side 102 of frame 10 may receive and contain
insulation material 107 which may be poured, sprayed, or applied in
sheets thereto. Accordingly, the interior side 102 is typically the
side facing the inside of the particular building or home and the
exterior side 101 (which receives wallboard 11, grid 12, and cement
layer 13) is the exterior of the building or home. The interior
side 102 may be finished with typical interior wall material such
as drywall, plasterboard, sheet rock, and the like.
[0025] The result of the present invention is a combined building
or housing frame 10 structure covered with an insulating exterior
wallboard 11 to which a sprayed concrete layer 13 has been applied.
Each frame 10 as described above comprises at least a portion of a
wall of a building or housing structure. This configuration
provides substantial strength and durability and exceeds typical
hurricane, earthquake and other weather strength rating
requirements presently used throughout the world. This enhanced
strength is achieved primarily due to the relatively thick concrete
layer 13 combined with the rigid frame 10. In accordance with the
present invention, a housing unit can be assembled in a matter of
three or four days rather than months by utilizing the building
construction system and method of the present invention; minimal
skill is needed by the assembly crews and fabrication can be
customized to meet local codes, plumbing and electrical
requirements. Most single family units are anticipated to be in the
twelve hundred to fifteen hundred square feet of living space. The
units can be built as independent units or in multiple family
configurations and, in that sense, the particular size and
configuration of a given housing unit built in accordance with the
present invention is not limiting.
[0026] The wall configuration, square footages, windows, doors,
electrical, plumbing, ventilation and other requirements are placed
into a take off for analyses by a computer software program for
calculation of number of feet needed for frames 10, frame 10
dimensions and placement, cut outs for placement of plumbing and
electrical wires, placement of windows, doors and ventilation
needs, as well as sizing to meet local and national codes and best
practices for the location where the homes are going to be built.
The result of the multi-stage analyses is a computerized output of
frame 10 requirements that can be fed into a frame fabricating
machine. The frame fabricating machine then can produce the frames
10 in sections, including the cross-members and outer members
needed for the construction of the unit. The frames are typically
fabricated from rolled coils of sheet metal material such as steel
or aluminum but may also comprise wood or other materials as
suitable for the particular application. In some embodiments, a
steel frame section having a 3-inch concrete layer applied thereto
is capable of withstanding at least 50,000 psi of pressure and
therefore is preferred as a weather-rated material in certain
applications. As the entire frame structure is fabricated typically
in discrete sections, the frame sections are marked at each end
with a coding number. Headers and sills are likewise marked with
numbers at all locations where they will interact with the frame
sections or any bracing pieces, cross-members, and the like.
Typically, the frame sections are produced in the order of
assembly, so that the pieces are assembled in the order of
fabrication.
[0027] When constructing the actual building, the unit's foundation
and base is prepared, which may be concrete slab or a framed
structural deck that can be covered with wooden boards, insulated
boards or other decking materials, which optionally can be covered
with concrete spray material and troweled. The walls of the
building or housing structure are provided as frame 10 sections in
accordance with the present system and method are typically
assembled flat on the ground using screw drill guns that fasten the
frames to headers, sills or other reinforcing pieces. When the
wall's exposed side is completed in assembly, it is tilled up,
screw drilling the frame 10 sections together until completed and
the wall put into place. By repeating this process, each wall of
the building or housing unit is assembled and may comprise one or
more sections of frame 10. The workers only need to match the
markings on the end of the frame sections and other components to
correctly assemble the walls or other structures. After the walls
are standing, a header assembly, if needed, can be installed to
give stability to the wall panels, and the roof trusses can be
placed. Roof trusses are assembled in the same manner as the wall
units.
[0028] The exterior sides 101 of frames 10 are then covered with
the wallboard 11, preferably with good insulating properties, which
is affixed to the frame 10 sections by fasteners 30 or other
suitable means. Grid 12 may be then fastened to the wallboard 11
which helps with the application of concrete layer 13 and adds
tensile strength to the concrete layer 13. The concrete layer 13,
in some embodiments, is applied by a spraying application and
depicted in FIG. 5. Multiple thin layers of concrete may be applied
until the concrete layer 13 has a suitable thickness, for example
2-3 inches. It is desirable for the grid 12 to be located
substantially in the middle of the concrete layer and thus the grid
12 is spaced apart from the wallboard 12 and the final outer wall
surface of the concrete layer 13. Once the concrete layer 13 has
cured, the housing structure is formed and finishing can take
place. Roof frame 10 sections may be constructed in a similar
manner but would typically be covered with a roofing material of
choice as wallboard 11, preferably a material that provides good
water resistance and good insulation.
[0029] The exterior wallboards 11 may comprise a variety of
building construction materials known in the art. In some
embodiments, the wallboard 11 comprises what is known in the art as
"blueboard" which is configured to accept and react with the cement
layer 13 for optimal adhesion and durability. Other foam-like
materials may be utilized as wallboard 11 and such materials may be
chemically treated to accept adherence of cement. As is known in
the art, "blueboard" is typically a foam-board insulation material
comprising polyisocyanurate, extruded polystyrene, expanded
polystyrene foam, and combinations thereof. The wallboard 11
material may be selected according to its "R-value" or thermal
resistance value and may preferably have an R-value between 4.5 and
5.0, which is typical of blueboard known in the art. It is
appreciated that "blueboard" as generally known in the art is of
higher quality than typical dry wall or sheet rock, typically
having greater strength, insulation, and resistance to the
elements. Blueboard is also beneficial because of the treating that
it undergoes (often treated with gypsum), which provides the
aforementioned enhanced adherence to cement or plaster. While
blueboard is somewhat more expensive than the typical non-treated
drywall, it has the desired characteristics for the wallboard 11 of
the present system and method. It is appreciated, however, that
other materials including composite styrofoam, foam and foam-like
boards known in the art are contemplated, provided they have
improved insulation, strength, and plaster/cement adherence
characteristics. One such material is the Georgia Pacific
DenseGlass product which is a drywall and fiberglass composite.
[0030] The application of the concrete layer 13 is quickest and
most efficient when sprayed, as shown in FIG. 5. The concrete mix
can be customized with additives to get better adherence to the
wall board and can be adjusted as to drying time. Further use of
elastomeric additives to the concrete reduces cracking of the
concrete surface, and helps in creating a watertight envelope. The
thickness of the concrete is a function of the strength desired and
for commercial type installation it may be increased.
[0031] As mentioned above, interior walls can be covered with
typical drywall materials and if additional insulation is desired
it can accomplished by using blown in insulation, batting, or board
type, installed on the interior side 102 of the frame 10. The
exterior concrete, after curing, can be painted to provide the
desired appearance. When constructing multiple identical units, the
product can be quickly assembled and made ready for use. The method
of construction of the units consists of fabricating the frames,
marking the frames, assembling the frames in the walls, trusses and
assemblies, covering the exterior walls with a wall board, adding a
lattice or wire mesh to the exterior surface of the wall board if
desired; spraying the exterior with wall board with the desired
amount of cement; allowing the concrete to cure. By following these
steps a very strong structure for an affordable quickly built
housing or commercial units is obtained.
[0032] The combined concrete, with board and frame structure
creates a composite structure with unexpected strong properties to
resist earthquake, hurricane and other disruptive effects. The
final product is superior strength for a housing unit that can be
quickly and economically constructed with a labor for having
minimal skill sets. There are numerous variations that can be
employed with respect to the materials selected in order to meet
the local conditions and to accommodate the need being
addressed.
[0033] The instant invention has been shown and described herein in
what is considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made
therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious
modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
* * * * *