Method of constructing multistory framework building from three-dimensional blocks

This invention relates to a building construction of the type specified in the preamble of the main claim.

There is numerous literature regarding the advantages of constructions of prefabricated modular units as well as constructions of other types where cast or prefabricated construction columns are used in tall buildings.

As the economy is the key to the acquisition of any new construction technique, it appears that the savings that can be achieved by the use of prefabricated space module units are not sufficiently large. It may therefore be necessary for these modular units to allow the combination of several functions as a means of achieving even greater building economy.

Certain problems have been encountered in the use of prefabricated modular units in tall buildings. The conventional way to build a multi-storey building using this method is to stack the module units on top of each other. This requires that each module unit have sufficient structural strength in the vertical direction to support the weight of all the units above itself. If the units are identical to simplify mass production, they can therefore either become too heavy (to meet the requirement for strength in the lower floors), so that the material is wasted in the upper floors, or when they become too weak so that the maximum height for the building will be limited. If different modular units are used for upper and lower floors, some of the benefits of mass production will be lost.

To avoid these difficulties, it is necessary to have separate vertical columns that carry the weight of the module units in the upper floors. This can be achieved by means of conventional construction frameworks with vertical columns connected to each other by means of horizontal beams and girders, but erection of such a framework is costly and time consuming. Ma, n has previously suggested, e.g.

in French patent 1,244,983, that the module units can be made for double task so that they function as molds, where the columns are made of concrete cast in the spaces between horizontally separated module units. If the spaces between such module units are not occupied in their entirety by the cast-in-place concrete, the remaining space can be used for laying various equipment connections through the building. This method is useful, but not far enough to take advantage of all aspects of the box module principle, and in particular this method still requires a complete construction framework or skeleton. French patent 1,384,949 also describes a building structure consisting of a number of self-supporting, hollow module units which are designed so that they can support each other's weight when the building comprises several floors, each floor consisting of a layer of such module units. The construction is built in such a way that several units are placed next to each other and on top of each other and the spaces are cast with concrete. The units have a particularly increased roof construction which is in connection with, a truss construction in the walls of the units, so that the units can withstand the weight they are intended for. When all the units in a building structure are in place and the casting is completed, the cast forms a number of walls that make the building quite solid.

The object of the invention is to arrive at a construction which makes it possible to use space module units which do not have to be made stronger than they can support themselves without having to erect expensive latticework of reinforced concrete to support the units. According to the invention, this has been achieved by means of the building construction specified in the characteristics of the main claim. Since the construction practically only comprises corner pillars for each vertical column with units, the material saving in terms of the casting mass becomes very significant compared with a construction which has fully cast walls and floor separators. The consumption of the formwork material is reduced very significantly and the same applies to the casting time, which directly affects the building costs in a favorable direction.

The invention will be explained in more detail by means of examples with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view with parts removed for the sake of clarity of a partially erected tall building set up in accordance with the invention, FIG. 2 is an end view of a module unit for erecting the building according to FIG. 1, fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of a part of the building according to FIG. 1 and illustrates the use of partitions 3 for dividing a part of the space between the units for use as a mold for concrete for the erection of columns, and fig. 4 is a deep perspective view showing the laterally projecting brackets or shelves formed on the cast concrete columns to support the module units immediately above them and also illustrates the spaces thus formed between the units which are separated in the vertical direction by the brackets or shelves.

Fig. 5 shows a vertical section through the module units with the tapered unit walls and portions of the columns cast in place between the walls of horizontally separated module units, fig. 6 shows a vertical partial section through the same building along the length of the module units and illustrates how the cross section for each successive column section decreases as one continues upwards in height, fig. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of cantilever beams and an outer balcony or gallery to be built together with the building according to fig. 1, while FIG. 8 is another perspective view of another building made in accordance with the invention and illustrates the formation of the cantilever beams on integral parts of the module units and shows how these support external balconies etc. which in this case serve as a common passage for the various apartments belonging to the building.

Fig. 9 shows a so-called exploded perspective view with some parts removed by three separate module units which cooperate to form the elevator shaft, the inner hall, the staircase, etc. for the buildings according to the preceding figures. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one of the units showing the installation connection chamber, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the module unit according to FIG. 10 showing the distribution of electrical cables over the top of the unit and extending backwards and to the installation chamber, fig. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the edge connections between upper and lower module units made for sealing the edge portions of the spaces between vertically separated units, and fig. 13 is a perspective view of a lot with a partition for dividing the space into separate compartments or sub-chambers belonging to the individual apartments.

Figs. 14 and 15 are perspective views of column sections with devices for post-tensioning, fig. 16 shows in perspective another column section with a cantilever beam for balcony etc. cast in one with the column, fig. 17 is a perspective view of an exterior wall panel for the building according to the preceding figures, while fig. 18 is a perspective view of a portion of two similar wall panels connected to the sides of the module units and forming spaces between the wall panels and the module units for filling concrete. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a T-shaped partition top for forming cantilevers or shelves at the top of each concrete cast column section, and FIG. 20 shows in perspective detail of a door opening frame which connects the rooms from different module units.

A high-rise building in accordance with the invention comprises several individual prefabricated modules 12 which are arranged in a vertically and horizontally extending formation. These modular units serve the main purpose of limiting interior space 14. In addition to this, however, they serve various other purposes of great importance for achieving maximum economy on the basis of the modular principle, ie. they form the horizontal beams extending across the building (in the width direction of the building or in the direction of the longitudinal axes of the module units) which cooperate with upright support columns 16 to form a rigid rectangular framework. Such columns and frameworks are required for high-rise buildings.

The beams do not have the usual I-shaped beam cross-section used in conventional building constructions. The module units 12 are in fact large, hollow, box-shaped beams whose flanges are a ceiling plate 18 and a floor plate 22, while the steps are two wall plates 20, and the inner space surrounded by these four plates is the living area or living area of ​​the building. To ensure the necessary longitudinal rigidity and flexibility for the units to serve as beams, all four slabs are preferably cast of concrete reinforced with welded reinforcement gratings embedded in the concrete.

The box beam module units 12 are further connected at each end to the vertical columns 16 in one of several ways to be described below. When the columns 16 at the opposite end of a module unit 12 should for some reason tend to swing horizontally, its connection with the module unit and the longitudinal hold exerted by the latter will lock the columns and module units into a single strongly rectangular framework. The four plates 18, 20 and 22 are braced by concrete slabs 52, 40, 54 cast in one with the plates, which are reinforced with steel bars, such as e.g. the rod 41 in fig. 3.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the casing-shaped beam module units 12 serve a further purpose of limiting forms of casting of the vertical columns 16 by filling suitable concrete in the spaces between the horizontally separated units. As the concrete hardens, a strong structure is provided which is able to absorb the weight of the upper module units 12. The lower module units therefore do not have to carry the weight of the units above them. Buildings manufactured in accordance with the invention can therefore be built as tall as any other building with a concrete skeleton using mass-produced identical module units on each floor.

When the erection is started, a number of concrete foundations or soles 30 are first cast (Fig. 5). in the ground 32 and a horizontally projecting cantilever or flange 34 is cast integrally with the foundation using ordinary molds of wood above the level of the ground. Then, the first floor with prefabricated module units 12 is placed on the flanges 34 designed to support these units. In fig. 5 only one support wall with cantilever 34 is shown for each module unit 12, but there will be at least four such for each module unit. The first floor or the first floor with modular units

12.1 and 12.2 are separated laterally as shown in fig. 5, i.e. in the direction of the width of the module units, so that there are spaces for filling concrete for casting a first set of concrete column sections 16.1. As part of the casting of the column section 16.1, the next cantilever or support flange at the top of the section is also formed by means of devices to be discussed below. On these cantilevers 34, the second layer with modular units 12.3 and 12.4 is placed, also at a horizontal distance from each other for filling concrete concrete for casting another set of column sections 16.2. These are cast in one with a third set of cantilevers 34, on which a new layer with module units 12.5 and 12.6 is placed and on which a new set of column sections 16.3 is cast again. Then continue with the next layer of module units 12.7 and 12.8 and the next set of concrete column sections, such as 16.4, until the desired number of floors is erected.

It will be appreciated that the laterally projecting cantilevers 34 of concrete directly carry the weight of the layer of modular units 12 immediately above them, but that the load from the modular units is transferred through the cantilevers 34 to the entire vertical length of the column 16 below modular units. As usual when casting reinforced concrete structures, the column segments 16.1 - 16.4 etc. are reinforced.

by means of rebar 36 which is put in place before the casting and embedded in concrete. A length of rebar 36 will usually protrude over each cast section and enter the next section above it to anchor the sections to each other in the column.

A further feature of the invention causes a considerable reinforcement of the shapes of the columns, i.e. the walls 20 of the module units, without the casting mass being wasted. When concrete is filled with considerable depth as is the case here for forming the column sections 16.1,

16.2, etc., the hydrostatic pressure exerted on the walls 20 of the module units at the bottom of the mold is considerably greater than at the top of the mold. To counteract this pressure, the walls are made thicker in the lower areas 20A. However, this thickness would be unnecessary and just be a waste of material in the upper areas 20B. Therefore, the cross section of the module walls decreases upwards as shown in fig. 5. Each individual concrete column section 16.2 etc. is therefore narrower in its lower area 16A than in its upper area 16B. . This means that the columns and walls go well together and you get a unified framework for the building. When the weight from the upper floors presses down on the columns 16, a certain compression of these will take place. The inclined surface of each column six 16 · 2 etc. will therefore wedge downwards between the complementary surfaces of adjacent module walls 20, which causes an effective connection of the columns 16 and the module units 12. The effective column thickness for absorbing the load will then be the thickness of the molded column material 16.2 plus the thickness of the two adjacent module walls 20 as the material in the column

16.2 booklets to.

When the total height of the building requires that the columns 16 have the greatest possible load-bearing capacity, the columns can extend along the entire horizontal length of the module units 12, i.e. they can occupy the entire length of the spaces between the units. For a building of e.g. ten floors, a narrower column cross-section is sufficient and a considerable amount of concrete material can be saved if the columns 16 occupy only a part of the horizontal extent of the space between the module units. This can best be done as shown in fig. 3 by inserting expandable partitions 42, preferably in the form of inexpensive wooden planks which are inserted vertically in the space 44 between the side plates 20 of two horizontally separated module units 12. A common way of fixing the wooden planks 4'2 to the hydrostatic pressure from the casting concrete is to place them against tp vertical rib tables 40.1 and 40.3.

The entire space 44 is thus divided into sections 44.1 and 44.2. In the first compartments 44.1 the reinforcing bars 36 are inserted and the compartments are filled with concrete mass for casting the columns 16. The other compartments 44.2 remain free and form vertical shafts which are useful as vertical distribution ducts for centrally heated or cooled air or ventilation air.

As shown in FIG. 6, a further saving of concrete can be achieved by reducing the width of the sections of the successive concrete columns 16.1, 16.2, etc. as the building grows in height, assuming that each successive column in the height direction carries less weight than the columns below. This reduction in the width of the columns as one continues upwards using modular units with identical rib table spacers for each floor can be provided by selecting increasingly thicker partition planks 42 to delimit the space sections 44.1 in the spaces 44 between the module units.

During casting of each column section 16.1, 16.2, etc., the necessary cantilever or support flange 34 is formed on top of the section inside the space formed at the ceiling plates 18 by two adjacent module units, such as 12.1 and 12.2 (Fig. 19), special extensions 24.1 being formed on the module units. leveling ribs 24, and T-shaped heads 42.1 are formed on top of the partition planks 42 to span between the ribs 24. The mold thus formed for the cantilever is filled to a level hoe above the rib extensions 24.1 and the partition wall extensions 42.1, so that the cantilever 34 has a top surface which projects furthest upwards and which therefore becomes a supporting element. Relatively rigid concrete is used here to prevent spills.

The cantilevers formed in this way not only serve to carry the prefabricated module units over them, but they also serve to separate each pair of vertically successive module units from each other, so that a vertical space is formed between them. Thus, one of the laterally projecting cantilevers 34 separates a lower module unit 12.1 from an upper module unit

12.3 which lies immediately above it, so that a horizontally extending space 50 is obtained between the lower unit ceiling panel 18 and the upper unit floor plate 22. This space is useful for distribution of hot air, conditioning air or ventilation air to each of the apartments in the building.

136108 ⁸

As mentioned, the modular units 12 have a number of different tasks as they form constraints for the inner roars that do not need to be cast on site, they serve as suitable molds for the concrete columns, they form the horizontal structural beams for the building framework or skeleton, they form horizontal spaces 50 and vertical shafts 44.2 , and they simplify the problem of construction of high-rise buildings, because they do not have to carry the load of all the module units located above them. In addition, they perform additional functions by bonding the columns 16 together in a direction parallel to the transverse axes of the module units. As shown in FIG. 1, 4 and 8, the ceiling plate 18 of each module unit is made with outer bracing ribs 52, while each module floor plate 22 is made with outer bracing ribs 54. These ribs reinforce the module plates in a transverse direction so that they can serve as belts, i.e. structural members connecting the columns 16 in a transverse horizontal direction to complete the bracing of the structural framework formed by the columns 16 and the module units 12.

As shown in FIG. 8, a particular module unit 12.9 thus binds together two columns 16.8 and 16.9 separated in the transverse direction and prevents them from moving independently of one another in the horizontal direction. In a conventional building, the vertical load-bearing columns of the framework must not only be connected to each other in a first horizontal direction by means of a number of beams, but they must also be connected in a second horizontal direction by means of a number of belts. The invention enables the designer or builder to omit separate beams and belts completely and only rely on the module units 12 to perform these two functions. A complicated cage of beams and girders is therefore replaced with a number of module units 12 which are nevertheless necessary to form and limit the interior space of the building.

The special building to be described here is an apartment house that has an exterior balcony on each floor that serves as a common hallway that ensures access to the individual apartments. The length of the building runs parallel to the transverse axes of the module units 12 and the outer balconies 60 extend along the length of the building and are supported by horizontal outriggers 62. As shown in fig. 8 ensures the balconies access to the apartments through doorways 64. These doorways as well as windows 66 are formed in curtain walls 68 made of metal or other suitable construction material and out₉ 136108 passed into the otherwise open end of each module unit 12 to form the side wall of the building. These curtain walls will normally be installed at the factory that manufactures the module units.

From fig. 7 shows how outriggers 62 can be cast separately of concrete and anchored in the concrete columns 16 by means of upwardly and downwardly projecting bolts 70, of which eh is shown in fig. 7. Alternatively, the outriggers can be cast integrally with the side walls 20 of the module units, as shown in FIG. In both cases, the outer balcony rests on the outriggers and is in horizontal engagement with a recess 72 (Fig. 7) formed in the front edge portion of the floorboard 22 in the module unit 12 immediately at the balcony section 60. The balcony itself is preferably formed of prefabricated sections of concrete comprising a floor plate 74 and a frame wall 76 made integrally therewith.

In another embodiment of the invention, prefabricated column sections 16P or 16Q of concrete (Figs. 14 and 15) are used instead of the on-site cast concrete columns 16, or prefabricated concrete column sections 16R (Fig. 16) which are cast in one with outriggers 198 instead of those on site cast concrete beams 16 and the girders 62 according to fig. 7 or 8. Such prefabricated beams are often used in the building industry and are usually prefabricated in a bearing length or sections which are then bonded together into a complete column structure extending throughout the height of the building and where the connection is made by interlocking hanging reinforcing bars 201 and upper sleeves 203 using the known tension. . For the latter purpose, the prefabricated column sections 16P, 16Q and 16R are provided with centrally arranged casings 200 for passing tightening rods 202 with threaded end portions projecting from the top and bottom of the sections. As each column section 16P, 16Q or 16R is put in place, concrete mass is filled into the sleeves 203 in the lower section and the hanging iron bars 201 from the upper section are put into the concrete. Then, the lower end of the post-tensioning rod 202 is anchored by the threaded connection to the upper end of the post-tensioning rod 202 in the column section below, and the upper end of the post-tensioning rod is tightened by means of a jack or is anchored at the top of the column section by means of a wedge or other known means.

In the building according to the example, these precast concrete column sections have laterally projecting cantilevers or supporting flanges 34P made integrally with the bottom of each section 16P, 16Q or 16R. During the construction of the building, the column sections are the first structural parts on each floor that are placed in place. The column sections 16P, 16Q or 16R for the floor in question are placed in place on the prefabricated column sections on the floor below, after which the module units 12 for the new floor are placed on the cantilevers 34P and the outer balconies 60 for the new floor are placed on the cantilever beams 198 integral with the columns. .

The casting on site is advantageous in that the columns 16 are intimately connected to the module units 12, so that they can perform their function as box beams in the building skeleton of the building. In connection with FIG. 5, it was already the downwardly directed wedge effect due to the complementary inclined surfaces of the module units' walls 20 and the cast column sections 16.2, etc., an effect which can be most easily achieved by casting on site. In addition to this, however, each column section, such as 16.3, and the projecting cantilevers 34 of the section together with the cantilevers on the underlying section 16.2 form a C-shaped pliers which grips the adjacent module units 12.5 and 12.6. Furthermore, the filled concrete material in the columns 16 and the cantilevers 34 will seek to be bonded to the adjacent concrete material in the ceiling plate 18, the side plate 20 and the floor plate 22. As a result, a sufficiently strong connection is obtained. between each module unit 12 and the columns 16 at each end of the unit connecting them to a rigid structural framework according to the invention. Furthermore, one or more of the vertical reinforcement ribs 40 in each module unit can be embedded in the concrete mass in the columns 16 and the same is the case with the reinforcement ribs 40.2 in fig. 3 which locks the module units and columns together to further limit the possibility of independent movement.

However, if prefabricated concrete column segments 16P, 16Q and 16R are used, it is not possible to obtain such adhesion forces because the column sections and the plates only come into contact with each other after they have been dried and hardened. Furthermore, it is also not possible to form the column sections 16P, 16Q and 16R around any of the vertical stiffening ribs 40.2 mentioned above. To provide a strong connection between the columns and the beams or the column sections and the module units 12, the column sections 16P are provided with horizontally projecting tie rods 204 at their opposite sides and the column sections 16R are each provided with such a tie rod.

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'..or anchor rod 204 on one side (in the latter case opposite the integrally cast cantilever beam 198). As shown in FIG. 14, these anchoring rods are positioned so that each of them projects into a cavity in a trough-shaped element 290 which projects upwards over the connection between two adjacent module units located at the relevant column section and the associated floor below. This trough element is filled with mortar 292 and when the mortar has solidified, the anchoring rods 204 are rigidly anchored in the respective module units 12 belonging to the floor below. The opposite ends of the anchoring rods are embedded in the associated column section when the casting is performed, so that the module units 12 and the column sections are rigidly anchored to each other to obtain the necessary strength as discussed above. The details of the tray element 290 are discussed in connection with FIG. 13.

The column section 16R is arranged to be used on or in the outer wall of the building where the module units only occur on one side, so that no anchoring rods 204 are required on the opposite side. On the other hand, the individual cantilever beam 198 is required to support the outer balcony 60. On the opposite outer wall of the building where there are no outer balconies, other types of prefabricated column sections 16Q will be used which have only two anchoring bars 204 and which have no cantilever beam 198.

A further feature of the construction which is of particular importance in areas where earthquakes must be taken into account is a concrete wall 80 (Fig. 8) which extends across the middle section of one or more modular units. As shown in FIG. 9, such an earthquake wall or retaining wall can be formed by filling concrete concrete mass between two transverse module unit walls 82 which form a filling cavity 84 between them. The securing wall 80 is also formed with the support cantilevers 34 projecting laterally from the wall which is to support the module units 12 immediately above, as in the case of the cantilevers on the column elements 16.

In one or more places of the length of the building, it is necessary to sacrifice module units on each floor to rooms for lift equipment, stairwells and a transverse corridor to secure waiting rooms for the lift and which may also connect the stairwells. As shown in FIG. 9, there are on each floor of the building three consecutive module units 12.10, 12.11 and 12.12 which serve these functions. Although the figure is a so-called exploded perspective view, it will be understood that these three units are mounted close to each other and are to serve as a unit. In addition, these three units, which are shown in FIG. 9, of the same modular design as the units directly above and below them in the adjacent floors with which they cooperate.

The unit 12.10 is thus a module unit for the elevator shaft and is divided into two shafts 90 and 92, it being assumed that the building is designed for two lifts. The hoisting shafts 90 and 92 are vertically aligned with corresponding shafts in similar module units above and below, so that hoisting shafts are provided which extend through the entire building. The module unit 12.10 also comprises a service room 94 for a caretaker at one end, while the unit at the other end has a service chamber 96 which is formed with upper and lower hatches 98 and 98, respectively. 100 for vertical passage of the various risers for electricity, water and sewage, etc.

On the sides of the hoisting shaft rooms 90 and 92, door openings 102 and 104 for the lift and these are in horizontal flight with door openings 106 resp. 108 in the unit's 12.11 pages. The entire interior of the latter unit forms an inner vestibule or hall accessible from the outer balcony 60, so that those using the building can pass through it to enter the elevators through the doorways 106, 102 and 108, 104. Similarly, the supervisor's service room 94 is provided with a door opening 110 which is flush with the entrance opening 112 of the module unit 12.11 for access from the inner vestibule of the module unit 111.

Denoted by 12.12 is a stair module unit with stairwells or landing areas 114 and 116 at the opposite sides of the unit and two stairwells 118 between the stairs. The stairwells 118 in each module unit 12.12 are arranged objectively in relation to each other and connect the landing area 114 in one unit to the landing area 116 in another unit. When the module units 12.12 are then arranged in a vertical stack, a continuous double staircase is provided which extends vertically through the building in a similar manner as the hoisting module units 12.10 provide two continuous hoisting shafts. The module units 12.11, 12.12 are provided with door openings 120 and 122 for passage from the inner vestibule to the landing or staircase 114, while a corresponding pair of doorways 124 and 126 connect the vestibule to the stairwell 116.

Wherever two adjacent units are to have doorways connecting them to each other, such as the cooperating units in FIG. 9 or as will probably be the case if a relatively large apartment extends through several module units, a certain tolerance must be ensured both for horizontal and. vertical difference in the setting of the door openings which can be difficult to avoid when the units are put in place. Among the various solutions that may occur, it is probably simplest to make one of the door openings where the door is to be mounted (e.g. the door opening 122 in Fig. 9) smaller than the cooperating door opening 120. If the difference is made twice as large as the maximum expected difference in the horizontal direction, the smallest door opening 122 will always be within the opening field of the largest door opening 120. As long as the tolerance limits have not been exceeded, it will thus be possible to keep the door openings in line as far as their function is concerned. Of course, these doorways will not fit edge to edge, but this has nothing to do with the function. To cover or seal the opening edges, facing facing claddings or curtains 123,125 are used which surround the openings 120, 122 which project towards and come very close to each other, but do not touch each other, see fig. 9 and 20. The seal is provided by means of a resilient gasket 127 of elastomeric material which is pre-arranged in a suitable recess in one of the surfaces of the cladding which reach towards each other, e.g. in the cladding 125.

The difference in alignment in the vertical direction must be assumed to be small. In order to prevent tripping and to cover the small space between the foreskins or claddings 123 and 125 at the bottom of the door opening, a gangway plate 250 (Fig. 20) is arranged which is bolted to several fastening clamps 252. These clamps grip a flange 251 at the door cladding 123 lower edge. The clamps 252 can be loosened or tightened against the flange by means of bolts or screws 254 which also serve to hold the plate 250 on the clamps. When the bolts 254 are sufficiently loosened, the clamps 252 are also loosened so that the clamps and plate 250 can be displaced against or away from the cladding 125 by sliding them horizontally over the lower edge flange 251. Initially, these plates are in the retracted position so that they do not is in the way of placement of the module units. After the units are in place, move the treads 250 to the correct covering position and then secure.

Should the setting difference in the horizontal direction become too large, adjustable door frame elements shown in fig.

used for covering. This comprises a door blind frame 260 which is placed by means of clamps 262 on flanges 266 formed on both sides of the opening cover 123. These clamps are held in place by means of bolts 264 which also hold the blind frame 260 on the clamps 262. Similarly, the door side frames are 270 secured by clamps 272 and bolts 274 to flanges 275 on both sides of the cooperating opening liner 125. The side frames 270 can be adjusted horizontally relative to the flanges 276 when the bolts 274 are loosened for adjustment to the adjacent section of the blind frame 260. Then the bolts 274 are tightened. A cover plate 278 is attached to each side frame 270 and can be adjusted horizontally relative thereto by means of bolts 282 in elongate slots 280 to be brought into abutment with the adjacent section of the blind frame 260. The adjustment of the side frames 270 and the cover plates 278 as well as the adjustment of the walkway 250 are performed from the inside of the units after these have been put in place.

In accordance with a further feature of this invention, the curtain walls 68 are mounted and the doorways 64 leading to the interior of each module unit are sealed, already in the factory where the units are manufactured, so that craftsmen are prevented from entering the module unit after delivery to the construction site. Another doorway 134, which can be seen in FIG. 10 and 12, leads to a special chamber 136 which is completely separated from the rest of the module unit 12, i.e. that there is no access from the chamber 136 to the rooms in the unit that are assumed to be used by humans. In the latter rooms there are various equipment, such as electrical outlets, gas pipes if a gas stove is to be installed, plumbing equipment for the supply of hot and cold water, equipment for removal of waste and suitable openings for the supply of hot air, conditioning air or ventilation air and / or hot water radiators for heating if this type of heating is used. From each of these arrangements, i.e. factory-installed conduits 141 of the type in question, such as an electric cable, cold or hot water pipes, waste shafts, ventilation pipes, gas pipes, etc., extend through the interior of the module unit and to the chamber 136 for connection to the heating and / or air conditioning unit 140 (if each apartment has its own unit) and / or to risers 142 in the chamber. The unit 140 may be a water heater which supplies hot water for washing or possibly for room heating, if this type of heating is used, and / or a unit which supplies heat for the hot air heating system and / or an air conditioning unit which supplies cold air during the summer months. The riser lines 142 will typically include cold water supply, drainage, ventilation, electric power and gas or oil supply lines if required for the kitchen stove or heating unit 140. These risers 142 are installed in the chamber 136 and can be connected to the heating / air conditioning unit 140 and to all the other installation lines 141 by entering the chamber 136. Craftsmen therefore do not have to enter other rooms in the module unit 12.13. The advantage is that these rooms can therefore be kept clean during construction. The first person to enter the other rooms in unit 12 is the first owner of the apartment and yet he will find complete electrical installations, piping and heating and air conditioning installations that are fully assembled and connected and in operating condition when he arrives.

If an apartment extends over several module units and if the equipment according to fig. 20 is used in the door openings between the units, a final setting of the door openings' frame equipment etc. made from inside the apartment will be necessary as explained above. It will be noted, however, that this final setting is an operation performed using a simple screwdriver and which can either be done by the owner himself or by a caretaker as part of his work after the construction is completed. These settings will therefore not require you to enter the module unit, so that the apartments will not be soiled before you use them.

Each chamber 136 is provided with a floor hatch 144 and a ceiling hatch 146 which are aligned with each other and with the hatches 144 and 146 in the chambers of the module units above and below. In this way, the vertically aligned chambers 136 and their lower and upper hatches 144 and 146 form a vertical row of units 12 which cooperate to form a channel extending vertically throughout the building, and in which the various installation ladder conduits 142 may installed at the construction site.

Fig. 11 shows the details of the electrical distribution system. An electric riser 142.4 extends upwardly through each channel formed by the vertically superimposed chambers 136 and their lower and upper hatches 144 and 144, respectively. 146. On each floor, a conduit 143 branches off from a junction box 145 and extends over the inner surface of the pre-extension wall 130, over the door opening 134 to a main switch and a switch panel located on the inside of this wall.

From there, several electrical wires 141.4 extend upwardly through the ceiling of the chamber 136 and over the roof of the module unit 12 to the various junction boxes 154 which distribute electrical power to switches, outlets and electrical equipment in the space of the module unit 12.

The utilization of the gaps 50 for the electrical distribution lines in the said manner is advantageous for several reasons. In particular, the erection of wooden forms for the construction of boxes with special compartments for electrical wires is avoided, because the spaces 50 ensure the necessary space. Therefore, it is also easier to coordinate the work of the different industries as there is no point where electricians are dependent on carpenters or vice versa.

For apartments with several bedrooms that require several module units 12, usually only one of the units in the apartment will have a full installation plan from the chamber 136 and from there such installations will have to be moved to the other module units in the apartment. On the roof of the module unit, which is shown in fig. 11, there is therefore an electrical outlet box 155 for an electrical plug 157 from an adjacent module unit (not shown) for supplying electrical power to the latter. Similar connections can be made on the roof of the piping and other wiring, nor will these require the workers to enter the module units as they can only walk on the module unit roof, which can easily be done for each floor before the module units from the next floor are placed in place. . In this way, the interior of the units will remain clean, even if they are apartments consisting of several units, not all of which have their own installation chambers.

For the distribution of air provided from each apartment unit 140 for heating, ventilation or air conditioning to all rooms in the same module unit 12 and all other module units in the same apartment or the same thermostat zone, the air is first led from the chamber 136 upwards through a duct 160 (Fig. 10). shown by the arrows 162, and then sent upward as shown by the arrows 163, through an opening 164 leading to the mezzanine space 50 above the ceiling plate 18 of the unit. From the space 50, the air is distributed downwards, as shown by arrows 166, through ceiling diffusers 168 which lead to all rooms in the unit 12 which are used by humans or which are occupied by furnishings. The air then serves for heating, cooling or ventilation and is eventually returned as shown by arrows 170 through openings 172 to a return duct 174. The latter carries return air, as shown by arrows 176, along the module unit and down and into the chamber 136. It will be appreciated that the particular feature of the structure, with the module units 12 separated by the cantilevers 34 forming the mezzanine chambers 50 between the ceilings and the floors in each vertical row of module units, provides an appropriate air distribution system in a building where each apartment or thermostat has its own air heating, cooling or ventilation unit 140.

In such a building it will be necessary to insulate the part of each mezzanine room .50 which is used for air distribution for a particular apartment, from the part which is used for another apartment. As shown in FIG. 13 belong to the horizontally separated module units

12.15 and 12.16 different apartments on the floor and the same is the case with the horizontally separated units 12.17 and 12.18 on the floor above. It is therefore necessary to divide the mezzanine room 50 into separate chambers 50.1 for the module unit 12.15 and 50.2 for the module unit 12.16. To achieve this, a thin expandable mold is used, such as a piece of plywood 210, which is provided with recesses where necessary for placement of vertical ribs 40 and which is placed on the top surface of the ceiling plates 18 in the module units 12.15 and 12.16 so that it covers the space 44. between the module units. Then a layer of mortar is filled over the part 210 so that a sealing block 212 is formed. Then additional mortar is applied

213 and a series of concrete blocks 214 and, in the case of prefabricated columns, U-shaped blocks 290A to form the trough-shaped element 290, which is shown in fig. 14, is placed along the length of the block 212. Then the next layer of modular units is brought into place, comprising the modular units 12.17 and 12.18, after which coarser mortar 292 which is too rigid to flow through the small openings between the modular units and the concrete blocks is placed in the trough-shaped elements 290A and over the concrete blocks 214 and will adhere to the blocks and module units. Mortar 213 is also used between adjacent concrete blocks

214 and trough members 290A to form a complete closure around each block. After the materials are dried and cured, the block 212, the blocks 214 and the element 290A with mortar 292 form the complete trough structure 290 and also form a continuous partition wall which insulates the intermediate chamber 50.1 from the intermediate chamber 50.2, so that each of the flats comprising the module units 12.15 resp.

12.16 can have their heating and cooling needs regulated independently of each other.

If, on the other hand, the building has central heating, air conditioning or ventilation, the vertical shafts 44.2, i.e. the portions of the vertical spaces 44 between horizontally separated module units that are free of concrete, will form excellent vertical air supply ducts that intersect the horizontally extending mezzanine cairns 50 for each floor. As shown in FIG. 8, the vertical shaft 44.2 between the horizontally separated module units 12.19 and 12.20 intersects the horizontal mezzanine space 50 between the vertically separated module units 12.19 and 12.9 and supplies air to these.

If the shafts for air delivery are not to be used for all mezzanine chambers, such as 50.1 and 50.2, they will have to be separated from each other as explained in connection with fig. 13. However, it is possible that the partitions of the device shown in FIG. 13 shown type can be used in selected locations to divide the building into individual thermostat zones (thermostatically controlled zones).

♦

Regardless of which system is used, the mezzanine rooms 50, in order to be used for air distribution, must be sealed from the outside or from the outside air along the end walls and side walls of the building. This seal can easily be provided along the side walls of the building, i.e. at the ends of the module units 12, by means of horizontal cover panels 180 mounted on the system, e.g. of anode-protected aluminum (see Figs. 1 and 3). These panels are attached to the building by means of L-shaped bolts 300 which terminate in screwdriver heads 302 which are rotatably guided through the plates 180 and are accessible from outside the building. The plates are initially put in place with the L-shaped bolts 300 rotated to a horizontal position so that they enter the space between the hanging floor ribs 54 from the module unit above and the upwardly projecting roof ribs 52 from the module unit below. Then, the bolts 300 are rotated by means of a screwdriver which is inserted into the head 302 from the outside of the plate 180, so that the L-shaped ends are rotated into engagement behind the adjacent upper rib 54 or lower rib 52 and are thereby held in place. Some suitable sealing material is used between the plate 186 and the adjacent surface of the building for better sealing of the space 50. As best shown in FIG. 3 the ends of the cover panels 180 are bent to form fingers 180.1 which are crouched around the corners of the module units 12.

An alternative embodiment for achieving the same result is shown in FIG. 12 and comprises an upright trough-shaped element 190 arranged on the upper surface of the modular ceiling plate 18 and extending along the transverse edge of the same instead of the first ceiling rib 52. Concrete mortar 192 is poured into the trough-shaped element before placing the next row of modular units. Then the next floor of the building is erected, while the mortar 192 is still floating, and a cooperating tongue or rib 194 which replaces the first floor rib 54 and which hangs down from the lower surface of the floor plate 22 in the next module unit above, projects into the cavity in the trough element 190 and is embedded in the mortar 192. When the mortar has hardened, a complete enclosure of the floor space 50 has been obtained along the transverse edges of the ceiling plate 18 and the floor plate 22. To prevent the ingress of moisture between the tongue rib 194 and the outer wall of the tray element 190, the space between the tray and the floor plate 22 is filled with a flexible sealing composition 196 which can be expanded and contracted as the temperature changes.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate a method of sealing the floor gaps 50 in the longitudinal direction of the module units 12 along the end walls of the building, i.e. the wall of the building which can be seen to the right in FIG. 8, which comprises the outer side wall 20 of the last vertical row of module units 12.9, 12.19, etc. It is to be understood that a prefabricated concrete wall panel 220 is to be mounted on the outside of each modular side plate 20 which forms an outer wall of the building and that several such wall panels 220 are to co-operate to form a complete end façade for the building. Each panel has an angle bracket 222 which at bolts 224 is attached to the upper edge of the panel, a dovetail anchor 226 which projects inwardly from the panel, and a terminal steel plate 228 which is attached to the panel with a bolt 230. When the concrete panel 220 is cast, the bolts 224, the anchor 226 and the bolt 230 are embedded in the panel material, while this can still be done, after which the concrete hardens and holds the elements in place. The angle bracket 222 projects inwardly to come with its edge 232 on the inside of the concrete panel 220, and it should also be noted that a corresponding recess 234 is provided at the lower edge of the panel, so that the lower end of the clamping plate 228 will be spaced inwardly from the panel.

As shown in FIG. 18, each prefabricated concrete panel 220 is fixed relative to a particular module unit 12 on the relevant floor of the building and connected to a similar panel above and below. Thus, the panel 220.1 is placed on a side plate of a module unit 12 and suspended therein by hanging the projecting lower edge 232 of the bracket 222 into outer edges of the transverse reinforcement rails 52 formed on the upper side of the module ceiling plate 18. To hold the suspended panel in place, the longitudinal screed rib 24 which is also formed on the upper side of the ceiling plate 18 is provided with a coupling bracket 234 which is attached to the same by means of a bolt 236. In addition, a connecting rail 238 is welded to one end of the inwardly facing surface of the top bracket 222 and the rail has an elongate slot 240 for passing a bolt 242 holding the connecting rail 238 and the panel 220.1 on the bracket 234. The length of the slot 240 allows a convenient adaptation for rotation of the panel 220.1 to a parallel position with the side plate 20 of the module unit. When this is done, liquid concrete is filled in the space 244 between the panel 220.1 and the module side plate 20. As the concrete hardens, , so that you get a permanent end wall mounting and sealing of the mezzanine room. When the next floor with module units is placed in place, the next panel 220.2 is also placed immediately above the panel 220.1 with the upper angle bracket 222 on the lower panel fitting into the bottom recess 234 and locked with the clamping plate 228 from the upper panel so that the two panels held together.

It will be understood that the building according to the invention fully allows the utilization of the principle with prefabricated space module units for achieving the best possible construction economy. The modular unit is here not only a prefabricated enclosure, but also part of the building's construction framework and serves both as a beam and girder to connect the columns to each other in two horizontal directions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spaces between the module units serve as air delivery shafts and distribution chambers, and the module units also serve as suitable molds for the columns, so that the usual wooden shapes are not used for casting. Finally, the modular units are sealed after manufacture at the factory to prevent craftsmen and others from entering the interior of the units, but the units are equipped with chambers that not only provide vertically aligned channels for installation risers, but also allow a complete connection between the risers module units without soiling the living rooms and other rooms in the building's modular units.