Floating Buildings

Abstract

A floating base for a building, the base comprising at least one buoyant basement unit defining a basement level, and a reinforced concrete transfer slab atop the or each basement unit. The basement level provides habitable or functional space for the building, and the transfer slab has at least one access opening giving access to the basement level. Preferably, the base comprises at least two buoyant basement units, wherein each of the basement units is independently buoyant for assembly with at least one other basement unit during construction of the base, said basement units thereby assuming a final position in which said units are closely adjacent or in contact to define a basement level comprising two or more of said units. The invention also extends to a method for constructing a floating base for a building, and a method for launching a buoyant basement unit.

1 . A floating base for a building, the base comprising:
 at least one buoyant basement unit defining a basement level; and   a reinforced concrete transfer slab atop the or each basement unit;   wherein:   the basement level provides habitable or functional space for the building;   the transfer slab has at least one access opening giving access to the basement level; and   one or more basement units includes one or more window openings for receiving windows.   
     
     
         2 . The floating base of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer slab forms a lintel above the or each window opening. 
     
     
         3 . The floating base of  claim 2 , wherein at least one window opening provides ventilation to the basement level. 
     
     
         4 . The floating base of  claim 2 , wherein the or each window opening is at least 200 mm above the water line in use of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The floating base of  claim 1 , further comprising a breakwater attached to the exterior of one or more basement units. 
     
     
         6 . The floating base of  claim 5 , wherein the breakwater is located just above the waterline in use of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The floating base of  claim 5 , wherein the breakwater forms a walkway around a part or all of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The floating base of  claim 1 , comprising at least two buoyant basement units and wherein each of the basement units is independently buoyant for assembly with at least one other basement unit during construction of the base, said basement units thereby assuming a final position in which said units are closely adjacent or in contact to define a basement level comprising two or more of said units. 
     
     
         9 . The floating base of  claim 8 , wherein at least two of the basement units are adjacent to one another and a gap is defined therebetween. 
     
     
         10 . The floating base of  claim 9 , wherein the adjacent basement units are connected across the gap by connection means. 
     
     
         11 . The floating base of  claim 10 , wherein the connection means comprise a plurality of connection members attached to the adjacent basement units. 
     
     
         12 . The floating base of  claim 11 , wherein the connection members are arranged in a frame comprising at least two vertically-spaced horizontal members which span the gap between the adjacent basement units. 
     
     
         13 . The floating base of  claim 12 , wherein the frame comprises two or more vertically-extending brackets for attachment to the respective adjacent basement units. 
     
     
         14 . The floating base of  claim 12 , wherein the frame is attached to the basement units with bolts which extend into walls of the basement units. 
     
     
         15 . The floating base of  claim 9 , wherein the gap is at least approximately 300 mm wide. 
     
     
         16 . The floating base of  claim 15 , wherein the gap defines a passage for access to the adjacent basement units and the transfer slab. 
     
     
         17 . The floating base of  claim 16 , wherein the gap is approximately 600 mm wide. 
     
     
         18 . The floating base of  claim 8 , wherein at least two of the basement units are in contact. 
     
     
         19 . The floating base of  claim 18 , wherein the contacting basement units are connected to one another by connection means. 
     
     
         20 . The floating base of  claim 19 , wherein the connection means comprises one or more connection members which extend through adjacent walls of the contacting basement units. 
     
     
         21 . The floating base of  claim 20 , wherein the connection members comprise threaded bars and associated nuts which clamp the contacting basement units together.