U.S. patent number 3,823,520 [Application Number 05/242,862] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-16 for steel structure for prefabricated buildings.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Nihon Architects Engineer & Consultant Incorp., Nippon Steel Corporation. Invention is credited to Kazuo Ohta, Seiji Sawada.
United States Patent |
3,823,520 |
Ohta , et al. |
July 16, 1974 |
STEEL STRUCTURE FOR PREFABRICATED BUILDINGS
Abstract
A steel structure for prefabricated buildings which comprises a
multiplicity of column-girder members formed by firmly combining
steel columns, steel girders, and corridor board supporting girders
and arranged in transversely juxtaposed and vertically connected
relationship on a foundation, steel crossbeams connecting said
column-girder members so as to define a multiplicity of framed
space sections, and corridor boards securely installed at the front
and rear of the column-girder members. The framed space sections
can be used for residential, public, traffic and other
applications. Prefabricated building units for living and other
purposes can be adequately inserted into the framed space sections
and removed therefrom for disassembly, movement, etc.
Inventors: |
Ohta; Kazuo (Tokyo,
JA), Sawada; Seiji (Kawasaki, JA) |
Assignee: |
Nippon Steel Corporation
(Tokyo, JA)
Nihon Architects Engineer & Consultant Incorp. (Tokyo,
JA)
|
Family
ID: |
27283192 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/242,862 |
Filed: |
April 10, 1972 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
18642 |
Mar 11, 1970 |
|
|
|
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Mar 20, 1969 [JA] |
|
|
44-20849 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/73;
52/79.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
1/944 (20130101); E04B 1/34807 (20130101); E04B
1/24 (20130101); E04B 2001/2478 (20130101); E04B
2001/246 (20130101); E04B 2001/2448 (20130101); E04B
2001/2496 (20130101); E04B 2001/2484 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
1/24 (20060101); E04B 1/348 (20060101); E04B
1/94 (20060101); E04h 001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/79,646,648,727,73,236 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
331,001 |
|
Jun 1930 |
|
GB |
|
1,509,042 |
|
Dec 1967 |
|
FR |
|
Other References
Engineering-News Record June 2, 1949, pages 16, 17, and
18..
|
Primary Examiner: Murtagh; John E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 18,642 filed Mar.
11, 1970, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A steel structure for prefabricated building to be assembled on
a foundation which comprises:
a plurality of column-girder members each comprising:
a pair of H-shaped columns each having a web and flanges,
said columns being depthwise spaced from each other with said webs
facing each other,
a steel girder extending in said depthwise direction and directly
attached to and connecting said columns, and
a pair of corridor board supporting girders, one each directly
attached to said columns and extending axially in the same
direction as said steel girders;
said plurality of column-girder members being vertically connected
at the columns thereof and spaced in the direction transverse to
said depthwise direction;
a plurality of steel crossbeams each directly attached to and
connecting said flanges of a pair of transversely adjacent columns
of said transversely spaced column-girder members,
a plurality of braces connecting said columns and said steel
girders of said vertically connected column-girder members;
said crossbeams together with said columns and steel girders
defining a plurality of framed space sections;
a plurality of capsule units dimensioned to be selectively
positioned within said framed space sections;
the opposed sides of all of said framed space sections in said
depthwise direction being completely open, whereby said capsule
units may be selectively inserted therein or withdrawn therefrom in
either of the opposed depthwise directions; and
said capsule units being directly fastened to the upper surfaces of
said steel crossbeams.
2. A structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said steel girders
are positioned lower than said steel crossbeams.
3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein intermediate steel
crossbeams are transversely secured to said steel girders.
4. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said corridor board
supporting girders are positioned lower than said steel
crossbeams.
5. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein a fireproof material
is applied onto the circumferential surfaces of said steel columns,
girders and crossbeams except the upper surfaces of said girders
and crossbeams.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a steel structure for
prefabricated buildings and more particularly to a steel structure
for prefabricated building units (hereinafter referred to as
"capsule units") having walls, floors, and ceilings which define
volumes of space suitable for dwelling, capsule units being pushed
into and pulled out of the steel structure in a horizontal
direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to provide a steel structure having
framed recesses capable of accommodating capsule units for homes
and the like and being utilized as spaces for artificial lands,
public services, traffic facilities and their auxiliary
attachments.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a rigid and
fireproof steel structure which makes it possible to standardize
the members of the steel structure and to facilitate both factory
production and field erection, thereby bringing about large savings
in time and cost.
Still another object of the invention lies in providing a skeleton
structure exceedingly suited for the installation and removal of
capsule units for living and the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the
following description taken in conjunction with the appended
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic plan in horizontal section showing a
steel structure embodying the principle of the invention which is
partly filled with capsule units;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the building structure shown in FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the structure taken on lines III --
III in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a steel
construction defining a compartment of the steel structure of the
invention;
FIG. 5 is a horizontal section in the middle of a column; taken on
lines V -- V in FIG. 2,
FIG. 6 is a vertical section in the middle of a girder or a
crossbeam; taken on lines VI -- VI in FIG. 1,
FIG. 7 is a vertical section showing a manner of connecting
columns;
FIG. 8 is a horizontal section taken on lines VIII -- VIII in FIG.
2 showing how a column, girders, and crossbeams are joined
together.
FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken on lines IX -- IX in FIG. 8,
FIG. 10 is a vertical section showing a portion of the steel
structure loaded with capsule units;
FIG. 11 is a somewhat schematic side view showing a method of
moving a capsule unit into the steel structure, shown in FIG. 3;
and
FIG. 12 is a vertical section showing an exemplary method of
fastening an inserted capsule unit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Reference will now be made in detail to the attached drawing. It
will however be obvious that many modifications of the preferred
embodiments which will be detailed hereunder may be effected
without departing the spirit and scope of the invention.
First, an explanation will be given to the essential members
composing the steel structure of the present invention. Columns (1)
are each formed by covering an H-shaped steel element (5) with a
concrete fireproof coat (6) all over except at joint portions,
which comprise joint end portions (2) for connection with other
columns (1), joint areas (2') for crossbeams (3), a joint zone for
a girder (4), and a joint for a corridor board supporting girder
(7). Column-girder members (A) are each composed of a pair of
columns (1) spaced depthwise with the webs of the H-shaped steel
elements (5) facing each other, a girder (4) connected at both ends
with the pair of columns, and a pair of corridor board supporting
girders (7) fixed, each at one end, to the pair of columns so as to
extend in alignment with the girder (4).
The crossbeams (3) and girders (4) and (7) are each produced by
covering an H-shaped steel element (8) with a concrete fireproof
coat (10) in such a manner that the top flange surface (9) of the
H-steel element (8) is exposed while both sides and the bottom
flange surface are covered. The H-shaped steel element (8) of the
crossbeam (3) has both end portions (11) exposed to be joined with
columns (1). The concrete fireproof coats of the columns (1),
crossbeams (3), and girder (4) and (7) are previously applied to
the H-shaped steel elements at the factory. Then, these coated
members are carried to the construction site.
The erection of the steel structure begins with transversely
juxtaposing a multiplicity of column-girder members (A) on a
foundation. Thereafter a crossbeam (3) is connected at both ends to
each pair of transversely adjacent columns (1) by means of high
tenstion bolts (12), welding, or the like, with the upper surface
of crossbeams 3 positioned above the top surfaces of the girders
(4) and (7). Then, on the columns (1) are installed another group
of column-girder members (A), and the top ends of the lower columns
(1) are fastened to the bottom ends of the upper or superposed
columns by such means as high tension bolts or welding. The upper
columns (1) are also equipped with crossbeams (3) in the same way
as the lower columns. Such work is repeated until the intended
structure having adequate spans and stories are constructed. The
structure may be additionally equipped with intermediate crossbeams
(3'), each of which is crosswise interposed between transversely
adjacent girders (4) and secured at both ends to the girders.
Besides, the structure may be stiffened by means of inclined braces
(14) which connect vertically adjacent girders (4) as illustrated
in FIG. 3. It is alternatively possible to reinforce the structure
by fitting braces to the columns (1) and the girders (4) in such a
way that four braces form a rhomb in a rectangular opening defined
by a pair of columns (1) and a pair of girders (4), the four sides
of the rhomb being diagonal with regard to the four corners of the
rectangular opening. As a matter of course, the intermediate
crossbeams (3') are formed in the same manner as the crossbeams (3)
transversely connected to the columns (1). That is to say, each
intermediate crossbeam (3') is made by covering an H-shaped steel
element with a concrete fireproof coat (10), with the top flange
surface (9') and both end portions (11') exposed. The braces (14)
are each formed by providing an H-shaped steel element with a
concrete fireproof coat (16), leaving a joint end portion (15)
uncoated. The framed space defined by a pair of vertically adjacent
crossbeams (3) and a pair of columns (1) is used for capsule unit
insertion for a capsule unit and therefore can not be occupied by
braces. Hence, the columns (1) and crossbeams (3) are in rigid
combination without the aid of braces.
After the structure is thus built, the uncovered joint portions
(2), (11), (11') and (15) of the H-shaped steel elements are
furnished respectively with concrete fireproof coats (17), (18),
(19) and (20), which are previously produced at the factory. As
will be seen in FIG. 2, the framed space sections defined in the
structure by the columns (1), crossbeams (3) and girders (4) can be
used for capsule units, public squares, gardens and other public
and private applications. The residential capsule unit (22) to be
installed in a framed space section (21) is lifted from the ground
and moved into the space in a horizontal directon perpendicular to
the crossbeams (3), and the unit thus inserted is firmly mounted on
the front and rear crossbeams (3). The living capsule unit (22)
houses various arrangements and has fireproof outer walls provided
with necessary windows, doors, and so forth. As shown in FIG. 10,
the bottom portion (23) of the capsule unit is composed, for
example, of a deck plate (24) sandwiched by concrete fireproof
coats (25), and the lower coat is in contact with the top flange
surfaces (9) of the crossbeams (3), thus serving for fireproofing
said surfaces (9).
When the framed space section (21) is used as a public space or
occupied by at least one capsule unit (22), having a space portion
left as a private space, an adequate number of floor boards (26)
prepared by coating deck plates with light-weight concrete or floor
boards made of reinforced concrete are securely laid on the
crossbeams (3), extending from the front crossbeam (3) to the rear
one, thereby fireproofing the top flange surfaces (9) of the
crossbeams (3) just as when a capsule unit is installed. With these
floor boards, the space can be utilized as a public open space or a
private space for gardening. In a case where the joints of the
floor boards are positioned on the upper surfaces of the crossbeams
(3), small clearances exist. The clearances may however be filled
with mortar or concrete. Besides, preformed ferroconcrete corridor
boards (27) are fixed on the corridor board supporting girders (7),
the top flanges (9) of which are thus provided with fireproof
coverings.
In the illustrated embodiment, the girders, which are placed lower
than the crossbeams, can not make contact with the bottom surfaces
of the floor boards or the capsule units. Therefore, fireproof
cover plates formed beforehand are fixed on the girder top
surfaces. The H-shaped steel of the column may be replaced by steel
pipe, cast iron pipe, or another optional shape steel, while the
H-steel of the girder and crossbeam may be replaced by a steel
material produced by combining a pair of channel steel pieces in
parallel arrangement. It is also possible to employ another
fireproof coating material instead of concrete. When the capsule
unit (22) is sufficiently fireproof, the fire resistance of the
steel structure need not be taken into serious consideration.
Besides, it is practicable to design a steel structure which has a
fire resisting property satisfying construction standards.
By making the width of the capsule unit (22) an integral multiple
of the width of the floor board (26), the number of capsule units
to be installed in a given space (21) and the floor size can be set
conveniently. When no capsule unit or floor board is installed in a
space (21), there exists an opening through which the space
communicates with the lower space (21), so that the opening can be
used for installing a staircase, an elevator, or the like.
Referring now to FIG. 9, the chain line represents grooves (28) and
(29) formed respectively in a side surface of the fireproof coat
(6) of the column (1) and in the bottom of the fireproof coat (6)
of the girder (4). When a space (21) is not provided with any
capsule unit but equipped with floor boards to be utilized as a
space for common use, it is possible to make use of the grooves
(28) and (29) to provide an external partition wall with much
ease.
The following is an explanation of a method for installing a
capsule unit (22) in the steel structure built as described
hereinbefore. The capsule unit (22) is lifted up to the intended
story by an adequate means such as a moving crane installed on the
roof of the steel structure or a self-support type elevator.
Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which illustrates the use of a
moving crane by way of example, with the capsule unit (22) mounted
on a pallet (31) equipped with support rollers (30). After the
capsule unit (22) is thus lifted, the front portion of the pallet
(31) is fixed to the corrider board (27), and the capsule unit (22)
is moved on the support rollers (30) so as to ride on the
crossbeams (3) and (3') and further forced to slide on the
crossbeams (3) and (3') until the unit (22) reaches the position
shown by the chain line in the same figure. Instead of being slid
on the crossbeams (3) and (3'), the capsule unit (22) may be
advanced by the use of pulleys (32) fitted beforehand to the
corridor boards (27), support wheels (33) fastened to the
crossbeams (3) and (3'), or the like.
Next, if necessary, a jack is interposed between the capsule unit
(22) and the corridor board (27), and the capsule unit (22) is
somewhat raised by means of the jack and adjusted in position, and
then fixed on the crossbeams (3) and (3'). When the levelness of
the capsule unit is of vital importance, shims of adequate
thickness are interposed between the bottom plate of the capsule
unit (22) and the upper surface of the crossbeam (3) or (3') as
required.
Referring to FIG. 12, which illustrates an exemplary method of
fastening the capsule unit (22) on the crossbeam (3), a support
(34) fixed to the crossbeam (3) and an L-shaped bracket (35)
fastened to the bottom of the capsule unit (22) are joined by means
of a bolt (36) and a nut (37), so that the capsule unit (22) is
secured to the crossbeam (3).
Since the steel structure of the present invention is constructed
as described hereinabove, it is possible to define open spaces for
various purposes and it is extremely easy to fit a capsule unit
into one of the space sections defined in the structure and to
remove the unit from the space, and the structure is high in both
structural strength and fire resistance. Moreover, the structure is
very simple in construction, employing prefabricated members, and
therefore the required erection period is exceedingly short and the
construction cost is inexpensive.
The arrangement of the mutually facing webs of each pair of
depthwise spaced H-shaped steel columns is effective for enhancing
the rigidity in the transverse direction, while vertically
adjoining column-girder members are stiffened by braces. With this
crosswise rigid and depthwise reinforced construction, the
directional property of H-steel is skillfully utilized for the
steel structure to be sufficiently strong to eliminate the
necessity of bracing the structure in such a manner as to interrupt
capsule unit insertion. Thus, it is not necessary to widen the
framed space sections of the structure in view of brace
arrangement, and the strength of the steel structure in the
depthwise direction is made satisfactory by the braces occupying
the space between each pair of vertically united column-girder
members, thus never preventing the horizontal insertion of capsule
units. Furthermore, since the steel columns, steel girders, and
steel crossbeams are covered with fireproof coats, it is not
required to install molds and the supports at the building site to
place concrete or another fireproof material. Hence, the use of the
fireproof-coated steel materials makes possible the easy and rapid
construction of a fireproof-coated structure. Moreover, the
uncovered top surfaces of the steel girders and steel crossbeams
are easily leveled with high accuracy, thus enabling other members
to be fastened directly on the steel girders and the steel
crossbeams, so that the members can be connected firmly with much
ease. In addition, it is to be noted here that a capsule unit can
be inserted into and removed from the steel structure with extreme
ease, since the front portion of the pallet carrying the capsule
unit can be fitted to one of the opposed corridor boards extending
depthwise from the structure, in such a way that said front portion
of the pallet are composed of the front mounting portion placed on
the upper surface of the corridor boards and the front stopping
portion fitted to the side surface of the corridor board.
* * * * *