Grid system for building structure and method therefor

Abstract

A structural assembly has a foot assembly anchored to a base. A structural column is received in the foot assembly and connected thereto assuring the vertical alignment of the column. At least one structural beam is connected to the column at a desired height above the base. A deck is disposed on the structural beam. An internal column connector is received in the top of the column. A method of producing a building structure is disclosed.

1 . A structural assembly comprising a foot assembly anchored to a slab, the foot assembly having an upstanding sleeve, a first column having a top portion and further having a lower portion received within the upstanding sleeve on the foot assembly and anchored therein, at least one beam secured to the first column transversely thereto and spaced below the top portion of the first column, an internal column connector partially received within the top portion of the first column, secured thereto, and having a portion projecting upwardly thereabove, and a second column having a lower portion received over the upwardly projecting portion of the internal column connector and secured thereto.  
   
   
       2 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding sleeve on the foot assembly is partially filled with grout material before the lower portion of the first column is inserted into the sleeve.  
   
   
       3 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first column has a cross-section in the form of an open rectangular box.  
   
   
       4 . The structural assembly of  claim 1 , wherein two beams are provided, one on each side of the first column.  
   
   
       5 . The structural assembly of  claim 4 , wherein each beam comprises a C-beam.  
   
   
       6 . The structural assembly of  claim 5 , further including a deck supported by the beams.  
   
   
       7 . A building structure having a plurality of structural assemblies of  claim 6 , laid out in a grid system.  
   
   
       8 . The building structure of  claim 7 , including a 10×10 foot grid system.  
   
   
       9 . The method of producing a building structure described in  claim 7 .  
   
   
       10 . The method of producing a building structure on a concrete slab, comprising the steps of providing a foot assembly anchored to the concrete slab, the foot assembly having an upstanding open sleeve, filling the sleeve with a semi-liquid non-shrink grout, providing a column having a box cross-section and further having an open top portion and a lower portion, inserting the lower portion of the column into the sleeve, driving fasteners through the sleeve and into the lower portion of the column, providing two beams and securing the beams to the column, one on either side thereof, transversely of the column and substantially parallel to each other, and just below the top portion of the column and to a distance substantially equal to the thickness of a deck intended to be supported by the beams, installing a deck over the beams, providing an internal column connector and driving the internal column connector into the open top portion of the column, and securing the internal column connector to the column and the beams, and wherein the top portion of the internal column connector is accessible.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , continuing the elevation of the structure by further providing a second column and telescoping the lower portion of the second column over the accessible top portion of the internal column connector.  
   
   
       12 . A building structure made in accordance with  claim 11.