Apparatus and method for use in building construction

Abstract

A structure for supporting loads includes a flexible envelope filled with a filler material. The envelope may comprise a mesh or non-mesh material and may have a high tensile strength. The filler material may comprise a loose or coarse material. The resulting structure may permit an applied compressive force to result in a tensile force applied in the envelope material.

1 . A structure adapted to support a load, the structure comprising: 
 a first skin surface formed of a flexible material and second skin surface formed of a flexible material, the first and second skin surfaces cooperating to define an envelope therebetween, the first skin surface and the second skin surface defining an envelope height, the first skin surface being spaced from the second skin surface and thereby defining an envelope width;    filler material disposed within the envelope, wherein an applied compressive force on the filler material results in a tensile force applied to the first and second skin; and    a slenderness ratio being defined as a ratio of the height to the width, wherein the slenderness ratio is greater than 1:1.    
   
   
       2 . The structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the slenderness ratio is greater than 2:1.  
   
   
       3 . The structure as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the slenderness ratio is greater than 5:1.  
   
   
       4 . The structure as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the slenderness ratio is approximately 10:1.  
   
   
       5 . The structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second skin surfaces cooperate to retain the filler material within the envelope and wherein the first and second skin surfaces are adapted to facilitate structural integrity to the structure.  
   
   
       6 . The structure as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cross-member coupling the first skin surface and the second skin surface together.  
   
   
       7 . The structure as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the cross-member is placed in tension by the filler material disposed within the envelope.  
   
   
       8 . The structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second skin surfaces comprises a mesh material.  
   
   
       9 . The structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second skin surfaces comprises one of metal, Teflon®, nylon, polyvinylchloride, carbon-epoxy, Kevlar®, Tyvek®, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The structure as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the envelope defines an external envelope, and wherein the structure further comprises an internal envelope disposed within the external envelope, the internal envelope having a first and second skin surface.  
   
   
       11 . The structure as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first and second skin surfaces of the internal envelope are formed of a material having a relatively loose mesh and wherein the first and second skin surfaces of the external envelope are formed of a material having a relatively tight mesh.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus for use in a support structure, the apparatus comprising an envelope comprising a first skin surface and a second skin surface, wherein each of the first and second skin surfaces are flexible and have high tensile strength; and, at least one cross-member disposed inward of an outer periphery of the skin surfaces coupling the first skin surface and the second skin surface together.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second skin surfaces comprises a mesh material.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second skin surfaces comprises one of metal, Teflon®, nylon, polyvinylchloride, carbon-epoxy, Kevlar®, Tyvek®, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the envelope defines an external envelope, and wherein the apparatus further comprises an internal envelope disposed within the external envelope, the internal envelope having a first and second skin surface.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the first and second skin surfaces of the internal envelope are formed of a material having a relatively loose mesh and wherein the first and second skin surfaces of the external envelope are formed of a material having a relatively tight mesh.  
   
   
       17 . A method of construction, comprising: 
 providing a first envelope defined by first and second flexible skins, wherein the first and second skins have high tensile strength;    providing a cross-member to couple the first and second skin together at at least one location inward of an outer periphery of the skin surfaces; and    surrounding the envelope with a filler material.    
   
   
       18 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein surrounding the envelope with a filler material comprises filling the envelope with the filler material.  
   
   
       19 . The method as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein surrounding the envelope with a filler material comprises mounting the envelope to a pre-existing structure.  
   
   
       20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising providing a second envelope smaller than the first envelope, wherein the second envelope is formed by third and fourth flexible skins.  
   
   
       21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the second envelope is formed of a material having a relatively loose mesh and the first envelope is formed of a material having a relatively tight mesh, and the second envelope is substantially encased within the first envelope; and wherein 
 filling the envelope with the filler material comprises filling the second envelope with the first filler material.    
   
   
       22 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 filling the second envelope with a second filler material; and    placing the filled second envelope within the first envelope before the step of filling the first envelope with the first filler material.    
   
   
       23 . A structure adapted to support a load, the structure comprising: 
 a first skin surface formed of a flexible material and second skin surface formed of a flexible material, the first and second skin surfaces cooperating to define an envelope therebetween, the first skin surface and the second skin surface defining a height, the first skin surface being spaced from the second skin surface and thereby defining an envelope width;    filler material disposed within the envelope, wherein an applied compressive force on the filler material results in a tensile force applied to the first and second skin; and    at least one cross-member disposed inward of an outer periphery of the skin surfaces coupling the first skin surface and the second skin surface together.