Building Structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to the construction of buildings as well as elements, structures and methods used in their construction. There is described a pre-fabricated formwork module ( 12 ) for a building portion. The module 12 includes two or more panels ( 14 ) each including a boundary portion ( 18 ) and one or more projecting structures ( 16 ). In the module ( 12 ) the panels are arranged such that their boundary portions ( 18 ) together define a first substantially continuous boundary for forming concrete and the projecting structures ( 18 ) project from the boundary into the concrete. The module ( 12 ) also include one or more reinforcing bars ( 30 A) fixed, e.g. fixed to the projecting structures, in position relative to the boundary for transport and to reinforce the concrete.

1 .- 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A pre-fabricated formwork module for a building portion; the module including:
 two or more panels each including a boundary portion and one or more projecting structures, the panels being arranged such that their boundary portions together define a first substantially continuous boundary for forming concrete, the projecting structures projecting from the boundary to project into the concrete; and   one or more reinforcing bars fixed in position relative to the boundary for transport and to reinforce the concrete.   
     
     
         48 . The module of  claim 47  wherein each panel is at least predominantly integrally formed of sheet material. 
     
     
         49 . The module of  claim 47  wherein the projecting structures include one or more receiving voids opening outwardly from the first boundary to receive one or more reinforcing bars. 
     
     
         50 . The module of  claim 49  wherein portions of the projecting structures defining the receiving voids are shaped to carry a reinforcing bar at a predetermined spacing from the boundary. 
     
     
         51 . The module of  claim 49  wherein the portions of the projecting structures defining the receiving voids are shaped to carry at least two reinforcing bars at at least two different predetermined spacings from the first boundary. 
     
     
         52 . The module of  claim 49  wherein the module further includes a retaining structure to capture the reinforcing bars in the receiving voids. 
     
     
         53 . The module of  claim 52  wherein, the retaining structure includes a plurality of apertures which in use contact the projecting structures of respective panels and through which the retaining structure is welded to the projecting structures. 
     
     
         54 . The module of  claim 52  wherein the retaining structure defines a second substantially continuous boundary, for forming concrete, spaced from the first boundary. 
     
     
         55 . The module of  claim 47  including further structure defining a second substantially continuous boundary, for forming concrete, spaced from the first boundary. 
     
     
         56 . The module of  claim 49  wherein the receiving voids are shaped such that the panels may be formed from blanks cut from a common sheet of material, said blanks being arranged on the sheet such that at least one projecting structure portion of one blank is interleaved with a similar projecting structure of a neighbouring blank and located within the receiving voids of the other blank. 
     
     
         57 . A pre-fabricated formwork module for a building portion; the module including:
 a form defining a substantially continuous boundary for forming concrete; and   one or more projecting structures; the projecting structures projecting from the boundary to project into the concrete and defining a supporting structure carrying a reinforcing bar.   
     
     
         58 . The module of  claim 57  wherein the supporting structure and the reinforcing bar carried thereby are positioned to reinforce a lower stratum of the concrete. 
     
     
         59 . A pre-fabricated formwork module for a building portion, the module including
 one or more forms defining a void for forming concrete; and   locating structure by which the module may be located relative to a vertically adjacent like or similar module.   
     
     
         60 . The module of  claim 59  wherein the locating structure includes a locating element including
 an engagement portion by which it is fixed relative to the forms; and 
 a lead-in portion to locate the vertically adjacent like or similar module. 
 
     
     
         61 . The module of  claim 59  wherein the forms are complementary to the forms of the like module when mounted atop the like module. 
     
     
         62 . The module of  claim 59  wherein a portion of one the forms projects upwardly beyond another portion of the forms to form an inner edge of a concrete structure above the other form portion. 
     
     
         63 . The module of  claim 59  including one or more reinforcing bars fixed in position relative to the forms for transport and to reinforce the concrete. 
     
     
         64 . The module of  claim 59  wherein at least one of the forms includes two or more panels; and each panel:
 includes a boundary portion and one or more of the projecting structures; and 
 is at least predominantly integrally formed of sheet material; 
 
       the panels within the, or each, form being arranged such that their boundary portions together define a substantially continuous boundary for forming the concrete. 
     
     
         65 . A building portion including the module of  claim 47  and concrete. 
     
     
         66 . A locating element including
 an engagement portion configured to engage with a formwork module in use; and a lead-in portion to locate a vertically adjacent like or similar module in use.   
     
     
         67 . A locating element as claimed in  claim 66  wherein the engagement portion includes:
 a flange insertable to engage a formwork module; and 
 a stop portion to limit the insertion of the flange. 
 
     
     
         68 . A panel for a building portion; the panel including:
 a boundary portion for forming concrete, and   one or more projecting structures projecting from the boundary portion to project into the concrete and defining one or more receiving voids opening outwardly from the boundary to receive one or more reinforcing bars.   
     
     
         69 . The panel of  claim 68  being at least predominantly integrally formed of sheet material. 
     
     
         70 . The panel of  claim 68  wherein the receiving voids are shaped for the panels to be formed from interleaved blanks. 
     
     
         71 . The panel of  claim 68  wherein portions of the projecting structures defining the receiving voids are shaped to carry a reinforcing bar at a predetermined spacing from the boundary. 
     
     
         72 . The panel of  claim 68  wherein the portions of the projecting structures defining the receiving voids are shaped to carry at least two reinforcing bars at at least two different predetermined spacings from the boundary. 
     
     
         73 . A method of building a building portion including
 installing one or more modules of  claim 47  at a building site to create at least part of a concrete formwork structure;   filling the concrete formwork structure with wet concrete;   allowing the concrete to cure.   
     
     
         74 . A method of building a building portion including
 installing the module of  claim 59  at a building site to provide a formwork structure for at least part of a building;   filling the concrete formwork structure with wet concrete;   installing a like module atop the module.   
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 74  wherein the concrete is allowed to at least partially cure to strengthen the building portion before installing the like module.