Structural element

Abstract

A structural element including a substantially flat central portion, a first web portion perpendicularly extending from an edge of the central portion, and a second web portion perpendicularly extending from an opposing edge of the central portion. The central portion and the first and second web portions are formed from a unitary steel sheet. The structural element is suitable for forming load bearing floors and/or walls in a structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural element comprising:
 a substantially flat central portion;   a first web portion perpendicularly extending from an edge of said central portion; and   a second web portion perpendicularly extending from an opposing edge of said central portion;   said central portion and said first and second web portions formed from a unitary steel sheet, and wherein the structural element is suitable for forming load bearing floors and/or walls in a structure.   
     
     
         2 . An element according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second web portion comprise a flat portion and at least one longitudinally extending ridge. 
     
     
         3 . An element according to  claim 1  wherein said flat central portion comprises one or more longitudinally extending ridges. 
     
     
         4 . An element according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second web portion comprise an inwardly directed end bend directed in a direction towards the central portion. 
     
     
         5 . An element according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second web portion comprise an outwardly directed end bend directed in a direction away from the central portion. 
     
     
         6 . An element according to  claim 1  wherein said first web portion comprises an inwardly directed end bend directed in a direction towards the central portion and said second web portion comprises an outwardly directed end bend directed in a direction away from the central portion. 
     
     
         7 . An element according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one longitudinally extending ridge is inwardly directed in a direction towards the central portion. 
     
     
         8 . An element according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one longitudinally extending ridge is outwardly directed in a direction away from the central portion. 
     
     
         9 . A structural unit comprising:
 a plurality of structural elements, each structural element of said plurality of structural elements comprising a substantially flat central portion, a first web portion perpendicularly extending from an edge of said central portion, and a second web portion perpendicularly extending from an opposing edge of said central portion, said central portion and said first and second web portions formed from a unitary steel sheet, and wherein the structural element is suitable for forming load bearing floors and/or walls in the structure; and   a ground slab to support the structure.   
     
     
         10 . A structural unit according to  claim 9  wherein said first and second web portions in each of said structural element comprises a flat portion and at least one longitudinally extending ridge. 
     
     
         11 . A structural unit according to  claim 9  further comprising a frame formed using said structural elements. 
     
     
         12 . A structural unit according to  claim 9  further comprising one or more floors formed using said structural elements. 
     
     
         13 . A structural unit according to  claim 9  further comprising one or more walls formed using said structural elements. 
     
     
         14 . A structural unit according to  claim 9  further comprising a maximum of five stories.