U.S. patent number 3,800,490 [Application Number 05/173,088] was granted by the patent office on 1974-04-02 for building structure for floors and roofs.
Invention is credited to John Conte.
United States Patent |
3,800,490 |
Conte |
April 2, 1974 |
BUILDING STRUCTURE FOR FLOORS AND ROOFS
Abstract
A building structure made of light weight plate material for
easy prefabrication and on-site assembly to form floors and roofs.
In one embodiment the structure forms a truss-like beam comprised
of primary and secondary truss assemblies. Optimum load transfer
results from nesting of these assemblies. The primary truss
assembly includes diagonal web elements which are secured to a
bottom chord. The secondary truss assembly includes elements nested
within and engaged upon the primary web elements and secured
together by bottom chords. In addition a top chord is secured to
both web primary and secondary elements. In another embodiment the
building structure forms a floor structure. The secondary truss
assembly essentially becomes the floor and a plurality of the
primary truss assemblies are spaced apart to provide the beams. The
web of the floor is defined by a folded floor plate covered by a
top chord in the form of a continuous deck plate and overlying
concrete slab. The nested primary and secondary truss assemblies
interact to share the load and thereby reduce the structural
material needed.
Inventors: |
Conte; John (Menlo Park,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
22630492 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/173,088 |
Filed: |
August 19, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/250; 52/694;
52/263; 52/335; 52/334 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B
5/10 (20130101); E04B 5/40 (20130101); E04B
5/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E04B
5/32 (20060101); E04B 5/02 (20060101); E04B
5/40 (20060101); E04B 5/10 (20060101); E04b
001/18 (); E04c 003/32 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/333,337,340,648,650,634,691,693,694,695,319,326,327,334,335,336,250 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Murtagh; John E.
Assistant Examiner: Masterman; John R.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fulwider, Patton, Rieber, Lee &
Utecht
Claims
I claim:
1. In a building having a plurality of pairs of columns, in which
the columns of each pair are arranged in opposed relation, a
building structure defining a floor and comprising:
a plurality of elongated truss assemblies arranged in parallel,
spaced apart relation, each truss assembly being attached at its
opposite extremities to a pair of said opposed columns, each of
said truss assemblies including a longitudinally extending bottom
chord and web means formed as a succession of connected V-shaped
sections, the apices of the V-shaped sections being attached to
said bottom chord; and
a floor assembly arranged in overlying spanning relation to said
plurality of truss assemblies and including a deck plate
coextensive with said floor assembly, and further including a
folded plate floor attached to said deck plate, said folded plate
floor being characterized by corrugations extending transversely of
said truss assemblies, the lower extremities of a plurality of said
corrugations depending into each of the upwardly opening V-shaped
sections, the outer portions of the outer ones of said corrugations
being in engaged relation with the legs of said V-shaped sections,
the upper extremities of said legs being attached to said folded
plate floor and to said deck plate whereby loads upon said
interconnected floor assembly and truss assemblies are transferred
directly to said columns.
2. A building structure according to claim 1 and including a slab
of concrete connected to said deck plate in overlying, coextensive
relation.
3. A building structure according to claim 1 and including a bottom
chord connecting those of said corrugations within each of said
V-shaped sections.
4. A building structure according to claim 1 wherein said
corrugations located within each of said V-shaped sections are
defined by a W-shaped section the outer legs of which rest against
and have the same slope as the adjacent legs of said V-shaped
sections.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a building structure for floors
and roofs, and more particularly to a building structure formed of
internested truss assemblies.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
In conventional high rise or multi-story building construction,
steel is the basic structural material and many steps are involved
in the design and assembly of the steel components. The structural
engineer must make his calculations and drawings, and the steel
fabricator thereafter must make fabrication or shop drawings
showing the location and dimensions of each column, main girder,
and secondary beam, including bolt holes, sizes and locations;
cutting, trimming, and welding indications for beam end
connections, and other details too numerous to mention. These
procedures must be followed for each separate job and are time
consuming and expensive. There is considerable duplication of
effort by the structural engineer and fabricator as they check and
re-check each others work. Moreover, the larger the job the greater
the confusion and possibility of human error.
Once the steel fabricator has finished his drawings and fabricated
the various components, these are delivered to the job site. The
columns are first erected, the main girders welded or bolted to the
columns, the secondary beams or purlins next welded to the girders,
and finally a steel deck is welded to both the girders and the
beams and a concrete slab poured onto the deck. As the height of
the building increases, all of these operations become even more
timing consuming and costly.
Once the main structural components are in place there is still the
problem of installing air conditioning ducts and electric waste
conduits and the like.
These various operations usually involve several different trade
unions and each must set up for its type of work, do the work, and
then clean up the accumulation of debris. This involves
considerable duplication and waste of effort. Most of these
problems could be completely avoided if the building structure were
such that it could be largely prefabricated in the shop and
transported to the job site for easy assembly by relatively
unskilled workmen.
In addition to the difficulties arising because almost all of the
conventional construction is done at the job site, the building
structure itself is too heavy, ponderous and expensive for the
loads it must carry. In conventional building structures the load
is transmitted by the deck or floor to the beams. From the beams
the loads pass to the girders and then to the columns. The average
weight of steel required ranges between 15 and 20 pounds per square
foot, which is quite high and an important reason for high building
costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a building structure is
provided which comprises primary and secondary truss assemblies
having certain components which are internested to reinforce one
another and thereby achieve more efficient load bearing
characteristics.
The primary truss assembly includes a bottom chord, and a primary
web having a succession of web elements which are alternately and
oppositely diagonally oriented to define a plurality of upper
apexes, and a plurality of lower apexes which are secured to the
bottom chord.
The secondary truss assembly includes a secondary web having a
plurality of web elements nested within and engaged upon the legs
of the primary web. A top chord of the secondary truss assembly is
secured to the secondary web elements and to the upper apexes of
the primary web. A plurality of bottom chords are each secured to
and extend between the lower extremities of a pair of the secondary
web elements which are engaged to the primary web elements.
The foregoing building structure can be utilized not only as a
truss, but is particularly adapted for use as a floor or roof
construction in which the primary truss assembly serves as the
equivalent of a truss, and the secondary assembly serves as the
equivalent of the floor. Thus the web of the secondary truss
assembly is made of a folded plate floor, and an overlying steel
deck and concrete slab constitute the top chord for this plate. A
plurality of bottom chords are also provided for this plate and
they nest within the web elements of a corresponding plurality of
primary truss assemblies which serve as spaced apart trusses for
supporting the folded plate floor, steel deck and concrete slab.
These trusses are used rather than the usual girders of
conventional construction.
The important characteristic of this embodiment of the invention is
the nested relation of the folded floor with the open upper portion
of the truss-like beams comprising the secondary truss assemblies.
This nested relation provides optimum load transfer, the concrete
slab and steel deck providing compression strength in one direction
for the floor and in a transverse direction for the beams. Thus,
the slab strength is common to or shared by both the floor and the
beams. When this latter embodiment of the building structure is
described herein, the term "floor" is often used interchangably
with the expression "secondary truss assembly", while "beam" is
often used interchangably with the phrase "primary truss
assembly".
The use of the present building structure as a continuous floor or
roof enables the average weight of the steel structure to be
reduced from the conventional 15 to 20 pounds per square foot to
approximately 7 pounds per square foot, which includes the weight
of the columns.
The size and configuration of the components of the primary and
secondary truss assemblies can be precalculated and predesigned to
suit all possible spans for shop fabrication. This eliminates any
need for special, lengthy calculations and detailings, and special
shop drawings for each job. The properties of the truss assemblies
are standardizable for presentation in tables setting forth, in the
case of the beam assemblies, the allowable span, allowable load per
lineal foot, allowable end shear, and deflection characteristics.
Comparable specifications would be set forth in similar tables for
the floor assembly parts.
The web configuration of the secondary truss assembly or floor
provides elongated generally triangular sections which are adapted
for use as air conditioning ducts or as conduits for mechanical or
electrical lines. This eliminates any need for the separate air
conditioning ducts of conventional construction.
The components of the present building structure are prefabricated,
transported to the job site, and assembled. Preferably the
structure is assembled at ground level so that the pouring of the
concrete floor slab and fireproofing of the bottom face of the
floor can be done most efficiently. The completed assembly is then
lifted to the proper floor level for connection to the already
erected columns.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent
from consideration of the following description taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building structure according to
the present invention, the building structure in this case being a
continuous floor structure supported by four columns;
FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the components
comprising the floor structure of FIG. 1, the concrete slab being
omitted for clarity;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view of the corner portion of the
structure of FIG. 1, showing the attachment to the column;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational view of the web and bottom chord
of the floor or secondary truss assembly of FIG 3;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail view of the saddle connection between
the beam web and bottom chord; and
FIG. 8 is a simplified view showing of a different form of folded
plate floor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through
7, there is illustrated a building structure 10 comprising,
generally, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart primary truss
assemblies or beams 12 located beneath and extending transversely
of a secondary truss assembly or floor 14.
As will be seen, portions of the beams 12 and floor 14 internest to
provide important advantages, including mutual improvement of their
load bearing functions. These same advantages also apply where a
single beam 12 is used in combination with a section of floor 14 of
approximately the same width. Such a structure is useful in many
situations as a truss of light weight and capable of being
prefabricated. However, the description herein is primarily
concerned with a plurality of beams 12, two such beams being shown
by way of example, with the floor 14 spanning the space between the
beams.
Almost all of the components of the beams 12 and floor 14 are
preferably made of relatively light gage sheet steel so that they
can be prefabricated in a shop and transported to the job site for
assembly and hoisting into position.
In constructing a typical building, a plurality of columns 16 are
first located in position to provide a structure to which the floor
structures can be attached. Four such columns 16 of I-beam
configuration are illustrated in FIG. 1. The primary truss
assemblies or beams 12, which are each to be attached to the
columns 16 each includes a bottom chord 18 made of a relatively
narrow band or strip of 16 gage sheet steel. The opposite
extemities of each bottom chord 18 are diagonally oriented and
terminate in mounting tabs or flanges 20. These are secured at the
job site to the adjacent columns 16 by shear connectors such as nut
and bolt assemblies 22, as best seen in FIG. 3. This type of
connection greatly facilitates calculation and location of the
loading upon the columns 16.
Each beam 12 also includes a web connected to the bottom chord 18
and of the same width. The web, comprising a succession of
connected V-shaped sections, is formed of successive diagonal legs
or web elements 24 whose alternate opposite orientation provides a
plurality of upper apexes 26 which are flattened. The lower apexes
28 between the upper apexes 26 are made generally arcuate in
configuration, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7.
The web is preferably made of a continuous length of 16 gage sheet
metal suitably stiffened against bending, as by the provision of
edge margins or flanges 30. Other suitable stiffening means may be
used if desired, such as integral ribs (not shown).
The bottom chord 18 and the acruate lower apexes 28 are of
approximately the same width, typically 12 inches, and are arranged
in adjacent relation for connection by a plurality of nut and bolt
connectors 32. To eliminate bending stresses in the web elements 24
and more evenly distribute the load between the web elements 24 and
the bottom chord 18, a plurality of anchorages or saddles 34 are
shop welded to the upper surface of the bottom chord 18 at regular
intervals such that they will complementally mate with the arcuate
lower apexes 28 of the web elements 24.
Each saddle 34 is of the same width as the bottom chord 18 and
includes a pair of legs whose lower extremities are welded to the
bottom chord 18, the span between the legs being of generally
arcuate, and preferably parabolic configuration. The connectors 32
pass through the lower apexes 28, the saddles 34, and the bottom
chord 18 to provide a plurality of pinned connections.
The assembly of the prefabricated beams 12 is preferably
accomplished in the shop rather than at the job site. However, the
prefabricated secondary truss assembly or floor 14 is preferably
assembled at the job site because of its size, as will be seen.
More particularly, the floor 14 comprises a folded plate made of
sections of 16 gage continuous sheet steel extending longitudinally
and spanning the space between adjacent beams 12, as best seen in
FIG. 2. The folded plate constitutes a web having a succession of
web elements 36 alternately, oppositely, diagonally oriented to
define a plurality of flattened upper apexes 38 and a plurality of
rounded or arcuate lower apexes 40, each pair of apexes 40 being
joined together by a bottom chord 42 made of 16 gage sheet steel of
a width approximately the same as that of the components of each
beam 12.
The end extremity of each section of the folded plate is arranged
to overlap the end extremity of the next section for
interconnection, as will be seen. These end extremities would be
apexes if the folded plate were continuous, rather than made in
sections. Consequently, these end extremities are identified by the
numerals 38, as seen particularly in FIG. 4. The opposite
extremities of the bottom chord 42 are upwardly turned and welded
to the web elements 36, as best illustrated in FIG. 4.
Each section of folded plate forming the web 36 is nested within
the open upper portion of the space between a pair of the web
elements 24 of the beams 12. The end extremities 38 o the adjacent
folded plate sections are overlapped on top of the apexes 26 of the
beams 12, as best illustrated in FIG. 5.
A continuous deck 44, preferably made of 22 gage sheet steel in
three sections, FIG. 2, overlies and is secured, as by spot welding
or the like, to the plurality of sections of folded plates forming
the web elements 36. The deck 44 includes a plurality of
transversely extending corrugations 46, as seen in FIG. 1, which
improve its bending strength. The deck is secured on the job site
to the overlapped apexes 38 of the folded plate, and to the apexes
38 of the adjacent beams 12 by a plurality of headed shear
connectors 47.
The shank of each connector 47 includes an integral circular flange
48 which bears against the upper surface of the deck 44 so that a
nut 49 forming a part of the connector 47 can be tightened to urge
together the overlapped apexes 38 of the adjacent folded plate
sections, and the apex 26 of the associated beam 12. The central
apexes 38 of the web elements 36 are also bolted to the deck 44 by
connectors 50, as seen in FIG. 3.
After the sheet metal components of the floor 14 are secured to the
complemental components of the beams 12, a light weight concrete is
poured onto the deck 44 to form a slab 52 about 3 inches in
thickness. The underside of the structure is also appropriately
fire-proofed with suitable coatings (not shown), as is well known
to those skilled in the art.
The concrete slab 52 is utilized as the top chord of the composite
floor structure, the bottom chords 42 placing the slab 52 in
compression under usual floor loads. The slab 52 provides composite
strength, in one direction for the web elements 36 of the floor 14,
and in directions normal to that direction for the various beams
12.
The web elements 36 rest against the web elements and 24, a
W-shaped section of the element 36 being located between each pair
of elements 24, the outer portions of said W-shaped section
engaging element 24, strengthening one another against bending
under loads transferred from the slab 52. The slab itself is
strengthened against bending between the beams 12 by the continuous
span provided by the web elements 36 of the folded floor
sections.
If a multi-story building is being constructed, the uppermost floor
14 is connected to the beams 12 at ground level, hoisted into
position, and secured to the columns 16. The next floor is then
assembled and hoisted, and the process continued until all floors
are in position.
The use of specific material sizes and thicknesses, particular
types of connectors, and particular forms of web elements are not
critical to the present invention and may be altered to suit the
particular application. Moreover, a compression structure other
than the slab 52 could be used if desired. Welds may be used
instead of connectors. The web elements could be made in structural
sandwich form for improved moment of inertia characteristics. Also,
the particular form of folded plate described is not critical. In
this regard, reference is made to FIG. 8 wherein a plurality of
folded plate sections of different configuration are illustrated.
In this embodiment the plate sections are reversely formed to
define a pair of deep channels joined together at their upper
extremities by a flat intermediate portion 56. Each section
terminates in a pair of flattened extremities or flanges 58 which
are overlapped with the adjacent plate section and secured to the
beam web elements 24 by a plurality of shear connectors 46a in a
manner substantially identical to that described in connection with
the connectors 46 of the first embodiment.
The flat bottom portions of the adjacent pair of channels 54 are
secured together by a bottom chord 42a. This bottom chord is welded
in position just as was the bottom chord 42 in the first embodiment
described.
The outer legs or web elements of the channels 54 and the outer
extremities of the associated bottom chord 42a rest against the
adjacent web elements 24, strengthening them against bending and,
in turn, being strengthened against bending.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the present building
structures essentially comprises a folded plate floor having an
overlying steel deck and concrete slab, with truss-like beams being
substituted for the usual girders to support the floor, deck, and
slab. The nested relation of the folded floor with the open upper
portion of the beams provides improved efficiency of load transfer
which in turn allows reduction of the weight of material needed to
bear the design loads.
The configuration and assembly of the various components of the
present structure enables loads and stress calculations to be made
easily and quickly, greatly simplifying the task of the structural
engineer.
Use of sheet material for most of the structural components permits
shop prefabrication, with only relatively simple assembly
operations being necessary at the job site to complete the
structure.
The present structure enables use of a relatively low
floor-to-ceiling depth because the spaces defined by the deck 44
and web elements 36 can be utilized as conduits for air
conditioning, waste, electrical equipment and the like. No extra
depth is thus needed to support and conceal such equipment. In this
regard, FIG. 3 illustrates how a deep web section can be formed by
making the web elements of the floor longer. More specifically, web
elements 36a are shown extending down in coextensive relation with
the end web element 24 of each beam 12. The relatively large space
56 formed can be utilized as an air conditioning duct, ane other
similar web sections can be used for return ducts, as will be
apparent.
Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the
foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of
the present invention.
* * * * *