Modular building system and method

Abstract

A modular building unit for use in constructing a building comprises a top, a base, two opposed ends and at least one open side. The at least one open side extends between the two opposed ends and is free of upwardly extending structural supports. The modular building unit is configured to be interconnected to a second modular building unit along the at least one open side. The building unit is dimensioned to enable the building unit to be accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building unit and the second modular building unit, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit.

1 . A modular building unit for use in constructing a building comprising:
 a top, a base, two opposed ends and at least one open side,   the at least one open side extending between the two opposed ends and being substantially free of structural supports;   the modular building unit being configured to be interconnected to a second modular building unit along the at least one open side; and   the building unit being dimensioned to enable the building unit to be accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building unit and the second modular building unit, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit.   
     
     
         2 . The modular building unit of  claim 1  wherein the building unit comprises at least one roof truss interconnecting the top and the two opposed ends. 
     
     
         3 . The modular building unit of  claim 2  wherein the at least one roof truss comprises a plurality of roof trusses. 
     
     
         4 . The modular building unit of  claim 1  further comprising at least one base truss interconnecting the base and the two opposed ends. 
     
     
         5 . The modular building of  claim 4  wherein the at least one base truss comprises a plurality of base trusses. 
     
     
         6 . The modular building unit of  claim 2  further comprising at least one base truss interconnecting the base and the two opposed ends. 
     
     
         7 . The modular building of  claim 6  wherein the at least one base truss comprises a plurality of base trusses. 
     
     
         8 . The modular building unit of  claim 7  further comprising fixtures along the sides, adjacent the sides, for attaching lines for lifting the modular building unit. 
     
     
         9 . The modular building unit of  claim 7  wherein the roof trusses and the base trusses comprise substantially flat trusses. 
     
     
         10 . The modular building unit of  claim 8  wherein the roof trusses and the base trusses are spaced to prevent deformation of the modular building unit when lifted by the lines. 
     
     
         11 . A white space for computer equipment comprising a plurality of modular building units according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The modular building unit of  claim 11  further comprising computer hardware racks mounted to the base. 
     
     
         13 . The modular building unit of  claim 1  wherein the opposed ends comprise walls. 
     
     
         14 . The modular building unit of  claim 13  wherein the at least one open side comprises at least one of internal flanges and external flanges for interconnecting the modular building unit to the second modular building unit. 
     
     
         15 . The modular building unit of  claim 7  further comprising floor tiles covering the base trusses. 
     
     
         16 . The modular building unit of  claim 15  wherein the base trusses comprise openings for at least one of an in-floor air distribution system, an in-floor electrical distribution system and an in-floor mechanical distribution system. 
     
     
         17 . The modular building unit of  claim 3  wherein the roof trusses are positioned to accommodate at least one of an air distribution system, an electrical distribution system and a mechanical distribution system. 
     
     
         18 . A modular system for construction of a building comprising:
 two end building units comprising a roof, a base, two opposed ends and one open side;   the building units being configured to be interconnect along the open sides,   the open sides of the building units being substantially free of upright structural supports;   the building units being dimensioned to enable the building units to accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit.   
     
     
         19 . The modular system of  claim 18  further comprising at least one intermediate building unit comprising a roof, a base, two opposed ends and two open sides, the at least one intermediate building unit being located between the two end building units. 
     
     
         20 . The modular system of  claim 18  wherein the at least one intermediate building unit comprises a plurality of intermediate building units. 
     
     
         21 . A method of constructing a building comprising:
 providing a plurality of modular building units, each of the building units comprising:   a roof, a base, two opposed ends and at least one open side, the at least one substantially open side extending between the two opposed ends and being free of structural supports;   the modular building units being configured to be interconnected to others of the modular building units along the at least one open side;   the building units being dimensioned to enable the building units to be accommodated at or within a predetermined width limit for transportation before assembly and the building unit and the second modular building unit, when assembled, exceeding the predetermined width limit;   transporting the plurality of modular building units to a building site;   successively positioning the modular building units side-by-side;   interconnecting the modular building units.