Building construction and method using tension support members

Abstract

A building construction and method using tension support members includes a support structure for bearing a compressive load; a support beam borne by the structure; at least one enclosure cell and at least one tension member for suspending an enclosure cell from the support beam.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A building construction using tensional support members comprising: a support structure for bearing a compressive load; a support beam borne by said structure; at least one enclosure cell; and at least one tension member for suspending a said enclosure cell from said support beam.  
     
     
         2 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support structure includes a column.  
     
     
         3 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support structure includes two columns.  
     
     
         4 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support structure includes at least three columns.  
     
     
         5 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beam includes a linear beam.  
     
     
         6 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beam includes an annular beam.  
     
     
         7 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beams includes a number of linear beams.  
     
     
         8 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beam includes an inner and an outer annular beam and an interconnection structure connecting the two.  
     
     
         9 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beam includes a tension member including a cable element.  
     
     
         10 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beam includes a number of cable elements suspending each said enclosure cell.  
     
     
         11 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beam includes a fiber reinforced plastic material.  
     
     
         12 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said enclosure cell includes a wall and floor.  
     
     
         13 . The building structure of  claim 1  in which said support beam includes fiber reinforced plastic material.  
     
     
         14 . A method of building using tensioned support members comprising providing a support structure for bearing a compressional load; installing a support beam on said support structure; providing at least one enclosure cell; and suspending each enclosure cell with a tension member from said support beam.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  further including suspending additional enclosure cells from said support beam.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  in which said support structure includes at least two columns.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  in which said support beam includes at least two beams.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14  in which said support beam includes a linear beam.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  in which said support beam includes and annular beam.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  in which said support beam includes an inner and an outer annular beam and an interconnection structure between the line.