Connection system for volumetric modular construction

Abstract

A modular unit connection system for jointing together pre-fabricated rectangular modular building units to form a multistory building. The building units can be completely fitted out and this connection system allows for positive structural connection using liquid grout filled columns, without bolting or welding and without the requirement for access to the connections from inside the pre-finished building module interiors. The four corner columns of the box-shaped modules are steel square hollow sections. This connection system uses a unique connector tube passing from the bottom of the column above, through a horizontal connector plate containing a guidance system and into the top of the hollow column below, and then a system of grouting the inside of the column, from an access position on top the upper most module to form the final positive structural connection.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A modular building column connection comprising:
 a concrete or grout infill inside a composite hollow steel section column;   where the composite hollow steel section column comprises an internal steel protrusion from an upper column to a lower column; and which creates a structural load path for tension and shear between building modules.   
     
     
         2 ) A modular building column connection comprising:
 a concrete or grout infill inside a composite hollow steel section column;   where the composite hollow steel section column comprises an internal steel protrusion from an upper column to a lower column;   a prong; and which creates a structural load path for tension and shear between building modules.   
     
     
         3 ) A method for a modular unit connection system; comprising
 jointing together pre-fabricated rectangular modular building units;   wherein the pre-fabricated rectangular modular building units form a multistory building; and   where the building units can be completely fitted out liquid grout filled columns.   
     
     
         4 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein the need for bolting or welding is eliminated. 
     
     
         5 ) The method of  claim 3  wherein the requirement for access to connections from inside pre-finished building module interiors is eliminated. 
     
     
         6 ) The modular building column connection of  claim 1 , wherein the modules are box shaped and contain 4 corner columns. 
     
     
         7 ) The modular building column connection of  claim 6  wherein the 4 corner columns are steel square hollow sections. 
     
     
         8 ) The modular building connection of  claim 1 , further comprising structural framing of the modules side walls, floor and ceiling. 
     
     
         9 ) The modular building connection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connector tube passing from the bottom of the columns above and through a horizontal connector plate containing a guidance system and into a top region of the hollow column. 
     
     
         10 ) The modular building connection system, wherein a system of grouting of the columns from the inside from an access position located on top of an upper most region of the module whereby forming a final positive structural connection.