Method of manufacturing structural units

Abstract

A method of producing an improved structural unit with anisotropic load characteristics includes producing a multiplicity of first building elements that are constructed from fiber-reinforced plastics material; producing at least on second building element that is of a different material to the first building elements; and adhering the first and second building elements together to form the improved structural unit.

1 . A method of producing an improved structural unit with anisotropic load characteristics, said method comprising: 
 producing a multiplicity of first building elements that are constructed from pultruded fiber-reinforced plastics material;    producing at least one second building element that is of a different material to said first building elements; and    adhering said first and second building elements together to form a structural unit having anisotropic load characteristics.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first building elements are produced using polyester, vinylester or epoxy resin plastics and produced using a glass, carbon or kevlar fiber.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second building elements are produced using fiber-reinforced plastic but with a different plastic and/or fiber to that of the first building elements.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second building element is produced from concrete, timber, plastics, metal or the like.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the concrete maybe prefabricated or cast in situ.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second building element is used to improve the load carrying characteristics of the structural unit.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second building element provides additional tensile, sheer or compressive strength to the structural member.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and/or second building elements have at least two sides of its outer periphery that are substantially flat.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second building element is placed between two first building elements.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second building element is located adjacent said first building elements.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first building elements are tubular.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first building elements are produced using standard shapes and/or lengths.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first building element is shaped differently to the second building element.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the building elements are adhered together using adhesive.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the adhesive absorbs stresses and/or potential cracking between the two building elements.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the adhesive is an epoxy based.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the building elements are adhered to each other so that the structural unit is curved.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein bulkheads, diaphragms, strong points and/or internal ties are used to produce the structural units.  
   
   
       19 . A structural unit produced in accordance with  claim 1 .  
   
   
       20 . A structural unit comprising: 
 a multiplicity of first building elements that are constructed from pultruded fiber-reinforced plastics material;    at least one second building element that is of a different material to said first building elements; and    the first and second building elements being adhered together to form a structural unit having anisotropic load characteristics.