Integrated, high strength, lightweight, energy efficient building structures

Abstract

An integrated, high strength, lightweight building structure that withstands seismic, flooding, and 250 mph wind loads and is resistant to wood destroying organisms, mildew, mold, rot, and water damage. The structural system incorporates watertight seals between the walls and flooring system, the joints in the walls, and around the doors and windows. The eaves and roof incorporate a novel design that distributes to the structural members the uplift forces caused by extreme wind loading events.

1 . A high-strength structure comprising:
 a structural frame having one or more composite columns and one or more composite beams attaching to the one or more composite columns;   vertical composite panels attached to the structural frame, said composite panels forming the walls of the structure, the outermost vertical composite panels being the exterior walls and the remaining vertical composite panels being the interior walls, wherein said composite panels further comprise studs, a structural panel attached to each of the opposite sides of the studs, a sheeting layer attached to the structural panel on the side of the structural panel opposite that of the studs, sheeting fasteners connecting the interior sheeting and structural panel to the studs, and rigid reinforced foam placed between the studs and bonded to the structural panels;   at least one horizontal composite panel attached to the top of the vertical composite panels, said at least one horizontal panel being a ceiling panel;   two or more composite roof panels, one side of each composite roof panel attaching to an exterior wall by a roof bracket, the opposite side of each roof panel attaching to the opposing roof panel in a manner forming a peak above the ceiling panel; and   at least one high strength eave having at least one substantially horizontal eave member attached to the exterior wall by a bracket at a location below the top of the exterior wall, at least one roof joist attached at one end to the roof panel and attached at the other end to the eave member, thereby forming a triangular truss.   
   
   
       2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein at least one vertical composite panel attaches to at least one other vertical composite panel forming a vertical joint between the two panels. 
   
   
       3 . The structure of  claim 2 , additionally comprising:
 a concrete slab that forms a foundation for the structure;   a watertight floor seal between the base of the exterior walls and the foundation;   watertight vertical joints between adjoining exterior wall panels; and   an exterior door to the structure opening outward and away from the structure, said door being installed inside a frame having watertight seals such that when a force external to the structure pushes against the door, a watertight seal forms between the door and the seals.   
   
   
       4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein said composite beams and composite columns further comprise a foam inner core, a foam outer core comprising a fiber-reinforced material consisting of a resin material adhered to a scrim, a primary skin bonded to the foam outer core, and a secondary skin attached to the top and bottom of the beam by mechanical fasteners. 
   
   
       5 . The structure of  claim 2 , wherein said composite beams and composite columns further comprise a foam inner core, a foam outer core comprising a fiber-reinforced material consisting of a resin material adhered to a scrim, a primary skin bonded to the foam outer core, and a secondary skin attached to the top and bottom of the beam by mechanical fasteners. 
   
   
       6 . The structure of  claim 4  additionally comprising at least one composite panel forming a foundation for the structure. 
   
   
       7 . The structure of  claim 4  additionally comprising a concrete slab that forms a foundation for the structure. 
   
   
       8 . The structure of  claim 3 , wherein said high strength eave further comprises a tension bar assembly having an anchor embedded in the foundation, a bar connected to the anchor and running to a plate bearing on the top of the wall panel, and one or more couplings incorporated into the bar, said couplings capable of tightening the tension bar assembly. 
   
   
       9 . The structure of  claim 7 , wherein said high strength eave further comprises a tension bar assembly having an anchor embedded in the foundation, a bar connected to the anchor and running to a plate bearing on the top of the wall panel, and one or more couplings incorporated into the bar, said couplings capable of tightening the tension bar assembly. 
   
   
       10 . A flood-resistant structure comprising:
 a foundation;   a structural frame having one or more composite columns attached to the foundation by at least one mechanical anchor, and one or more composite beams attaching to the one or more composite columns;   vertical composite panels attached to each other and to the structural frame, said composite panels forming the walls of the structure, the outermost vertical composite panels being the exterior walls and the remaining vertical composite panels being the interior walls;   a watertight floor seal between the base of the exterior walls and the foundation;   watertight vertical joints between the exterior wall panels; and   an exterior door to the structure opening outward and away from the structure, said door being installed inside a frame having watertight seals such that when a force external to the structure pushes against the door, a watertight seal forms between the door and the seals.   
   
   
       11 . The watertight structure of  claim 10  wherein said watertight floor seal further comprises at least one floor track attached to the foundation by fasteners, said floor track being sealed to the foundation by a sealant selected from the group consisting of caulking, epoxy, rubber, neoprene, elastomeric pads, plastic, and foam, and said columns and exterior wall panels resting inside and attached to the floor tracks by mechanical fasteners. 
   
   
       12 . The watertight structure of  claim 10  wherein said watertight floor seal further comprises a continuous strip on the exterior side of the exterior wall attaching the exterior wall directly to the foundation, and a bonding sealer sealing the base of the exterior wall to the foundation, wherein the bonding sealer is selected from the group consisting of caulking, epoxy, rubber, neoprene, elastomeric pads, plastic, and foam. 
   
   
       13 . The structure of  claim 11  wherein said watertight vertical joints further comprise a void defined by the ends of the exterior wall panels and a support member, said support member providing structural support to the void, a vertical bracket attaching the adjacent exterior wall panels together, and a bonding sealer sealing the support member to the exterior wall panel and sealing the vertical bracket to the adjacent exterior wall panels. 
   
   
       14 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein said watertight vertical joints further comprise a void defined by the ends of the exterior wall panels and a support member, said support member providing structural support to the void, a vertical bracket attaching the adjacent exterior wall panels together, and a bonding sealer sealing the support member to the exterior wall panel and sealing the vertical bracket to the adjacent exterior wall panels. 
   
   
       15 . The structure of  claim 11  wherein said watertight vertical joints further comprise the exterior walls abutting to form a corner, at least one tube passing through one of the exterior wall panels, a threaded fastener passing through the tube and into the adjacent exterior wall panel, the threaded fastener having a nut that is tightened to secure the adjacent exterior wall panels together, and a bonding sealer sealing the interface between the exterior wall panels. 
   
   
       16 . The structure of  claim 12  wherein said watertight vertical joints further comprise the exterior walls abutting to form a corner, at least one tube passing through one of the exterior wall panels, a threaded fastener passing through the tube and into the adjacent exterior wall panel, the threaded fastener having a nut that is tightened to secure the adjacent exterior wall panels together, and a bonding sealer sealing the interface between the exterior wall panels. 
   
   
       17 . A high strength eave assembly for a structure comprising:
 a foundation;   at least one exterior wall resting on the foundation;   at least one substantially horizontal ceiling panel bearing on the top of the exterior wall;   at least one inclined roof member bearing on the ceiling panel at a location above the exterior wall;   at least one substantially horizontal eave member attached to the exterior wall by a bracket at a location below the top of the exterior wall; and   at least one roof joist having a roof bracket attaching one end of the roof joist to one of the roof panels and to the top of the exterior wall, said roof joist being attached at the other end to an eave member, thereby forming a triangular truss.   
   
   
       18 . The high strength eave of  claim 17  further comprising a tension bar assembly having an anchor embedded in the foundation, a bar connected to the anchor and running to a plate bearing on the top of the ceiling panel, and one or more couplings incorporated into the bar, said couplings capable of tightening the tension bar assembly. 
   
   
       19 . The high strength eave of  claim 17  further comprising a space formed between the inclined roof panel and the ceiling panel, said space filled with a structural element bonded to the roof panel and ceiling panel. 
   
   
       20 . The high strength eave of  claim 18  further comprising a watertight floor seal having a continuous strip on the exterior side of the exterior wall attaching the exterior wall directly to the foundation, and a bonding sealer sealing the base of the exterior wall to the foundation, wherein the bonding sealer is selected from the group consisting of caulking, epoxy, rubber, neoprene, elastomeric pads, plastic, and foam.