Load bearing structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a bearing structure for civil construction wherein light weight, longitudinally elongated bodies comprise an external layer of carbon fiber impregnated with epoxy; the bodies resin have a porous plastic core and are magnetically coupled to cooperating pairs of male and female constraining elements.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . Bearing structure for civil constructions, wherein longitudinally elongated bodies comprise at least one outer layer of carbon fiber fabric impregnated by at least one epoxy resin;  
     
     
         2 . Structure according to  claim 1  wherein said longitudinally elongated bodies comprise a porous plastic core filling the space bounded by said at least one outer layer of carbon fiber.  
     
     
         3 . Structure according to  claim 2  wherein said plastic core is characterized by a porous, open-cell structure.  
     
     
         4 . Structure according to  claim 2  wherein said plastic core has a honey-comb structure.  
     
     
         5 . Structure according to  claim 2  wherein said core is an epoxy resin.  
     
     
         6 . Structure according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one outer layer of carbon fiber fabric comprises strands in which at least one is a metal wire and at least one is a carbon fiber yarn.  
     
     
         7 . Structure according to  claim 1  wherein the carbon fiber fabric comprises ceramic yarns.  
     
     
         8 . Structure according to  claim 1  wherein said impregnating epoxy resin acts as glue and is polymerized at room temperature.  
     
     
         9 . Structure according to  claim 1  wherein said impregnating epoxy resin is a resin polymerized at a temperature higher then room temperature.  
     
     
         10 . Structure according to one any of the above claims wherein said longitudinally elongated bodies comprise constraining elements male and female, complementary to one and other located at outer ends of said bodies.  
     
     
         11 . Structure according to  claim 10  wherein one of said male constraining elements comprises a permanent magnet cap, which is solid with or applied to a related longitudinally elongated body.  
     
     
         12 . Structure according to  claim 11  wherein one of said female constraining elements comprises a cradle, which can be integral with or applied to a related longitudinally elongated body, said cradle being mirror shaped to mate with said cap and having a convex surface defined by a layer of material magnetically attracted to the permanent magnet of said cap.  
     
     
         13 . Structure according to one or more of claims  10  and  12  wherein said cap as well as said cradle are of hemispherical shape.  
     
     
         14 . Structure according to  claim 10  wherein said male and female constraining elements are connected to longitudinally elongated bodies by means of dove-tail constraints and glue.  
     
     
         15 . Structure according to  claim 10  wherein said male and female constraining elements are connected to longitudinally elongated bodies in a way that allows transactional settlement movements of said male and female elements.