Modular building structure

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a modular building structure. The structure includes a modular building roof structure comprising the roof structure which includes a plurality of truss structures each having a top and a bottom and a pair of deck layers attached to and for transversely spanning the tops of the truss structures. The roof structure also includes an acoustical ceiling suspended along the bottoms of the truss structures. The building structure also includes a modular building floor structure which comprises a deck structure including an upper deck pan and a lower deck pan disposed opposite and adjacent each other to create a plurality of spaced apart support channels. In a preferred embodiment, the deck structure is oriented transverse to the support beams. The floor structure further includes a plurality of support beams for supporting the deck structure. Significantly, the deck and the acoustical ceiling define a return air plenum that provides for proper venting, distribution and circulation of air, including introduction of fresh air, throughout the modular structure. Advantageously, no separate ductwork or duct system is required with the use of the air plenum. Preferably, the structure is substantially non-combustible and mold-resistant.

1 . A modular building roof structure in combination with an acoustical ceiling, the combination comprising: 
 a modular building roof structure comprising: 
 a plurality of truss structures each having a top and a bottom;  
 a pair of deck layers attached to and for transversely spanning the tops of the truss structures; and  
   an acoustical ceiling suspended along the bottoms of the truss structures;    wherein the deck and the acoustical ceiling define a return air plenum.    
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the trusses further comprise a plurality of longitudinally disposed supporting beams connected in overlapping relationship to a plurality of tension and compression members such that the trusses form a longitudinal, open web truss structure.  
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the pair of deck layers is roll-formed.  
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the pair of deck layers is corrugated.  
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the pair of deck layers is constructed of steel.  
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the modular building roof structure is at least one of substantially non-combustible and substantially mold-resistant.  
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 1  further wherein at least one of the plurality of longitudinal, open web trusses, the plurality of tubular columns, and the roll-formed deck comprise steel.  
   
   
       8 . A modular building floor structure comprising: 
 a deck structure including an upper deck pan and a lower deck pan disposed opposite and adjacent to each other to create a plurality of spaced apart support channels; and    a plurality of support beams for supporting the deck structure;    wherein the deck structure is oriented transverse to the support beams.    
   
   
       9 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  further comprising a decking surface laid over the pair of deck pans.  
   
   
       10 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 9  wherein the decking surface includes plywood and wherein the plywood is supported at least in part by the support channels.  
   
   
       11 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  wherein the decking surface includes cement board and wherein the cement board is supported at least in part by the spaced apart support channels.  
   
   
       12 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  wherein the decking surface includes poured concrete and wherein the concrete is supported at least in part by the support channels.  
   
   
       13 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  wherein at least one of the upper and lower deck pans is corrugated.  
   
   
       14 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  wherein the deck structure is capable of supporting a greater load than each of one of the pair of deck pans individually.  
   
   
       15 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  wherein the deck structure has a combined deflection level that is less than an individual deflection level for each of the deck pans individually for a given load.  
   
   
       16 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  wherein the support members comprise at least one I-beam.  
   
   
       17 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 16  wherein the support members comprise two I-beams.  
   
   
       18 . The modular building floor structure of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of main support beams are spaced apart in intervals that are in a range of about 12 to about 14 feet.  
   
   
       19 . A modular building structure comprising: 
 a modular building roof structure in combination with a suspended acoustical ceiling system, the combination comprising: 
 a modular building roof structure comprising: 
 a plurality of truss structures each having a top and a bottom;  
 a pair of deck layers attached to and for transversely spanning the tops of the truss structures; and  
 an acoustical ceiling suspended along the bottoms of the truss structures; and  
 
 a modular building floor structure comprising:  
 a deck structure including an upper deck pan and a lower deck pan disposed opposite and adjacent each other to create a plurality of spaced apart support channels; and  
 a plurality of support beams for supporting the deck structure;  
 wherein the deck and the acoustical ceiling define a return air plenum; and  
 wherein the deck structure is oriented transverse to the support beams.  
   
   
   
       20 . The modular building structure of  claim 19  wherein the upper deck pan and the lower deck pan are separated to create a plurality of deck gaps, and further including a plurality of spacers inserted into the plurality of deck gaps.  
   
   
       21 . The modular building structure of  claim 19  further including inserting support materials into the plurality of spaced apart support channels for increasing the support strength of the deck structure.  
   
   
       22 . The modular building structure of  claim 19  wherein each modular building has a lateral load bearing characteristic, and that when a plurality of the modular buildings are placed laterally together to create a modular building group having a total lateral load bearing characteristic, the total lateral load bearing characteristic is additive from the individual modular building lateral load bearing characteristics.  
   
   
       23 . The modular building structure of  claim 19  wherein the pair of deck layers are separated to create a plurality of deck gaps, and further including a plurality of spacers inserted into the plurality of deck gaps.