Concrete building construction using supported, fillable structures

Abstract

A building structure assembly for use with constructing buildings (e.g., dwellings, offices, and so on) is described. In some embodiments, the building structure assembly includes a fillable container structure formed of a drop stitch fabric or material, and a removable shoring structure configured to position the container structure in a desired configuration when filled by building material, such as cement or concrete. In some cases, the container structure can include reinforcement components, which move into suitable positions when the container structure is filled with the building material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly, comprising:
 a container structure having an expandable shape configured to be filled with a building material; and   a shoring structure that, when inflated, supports the container structure in a vertical direction.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shoring structure is configured to be deflated after building material in the container structure has hardened. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure includes reinforcement components, separate from the shoring structure, disposed inside of the container structure. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure includes reinforcing cables or rebar components that extend through the container structure. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure is formed of a drop stitch material. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure is configured to be filled with cement or concrete. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure is configured to be filled with cementitious material. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure is a multi-layered structure that includes:
 an inner layer formed of a drop stitch material and configured to form the expandable shape;   a middle layer formed of an insulating material and configured to insulate the container structure; and   an outer layer formed of a façade material and configured to provide an outer façade of the container structure.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure is a multi-layered structure that includes:
 a first layer formed of the drop stitch material and configured to form the expandable shape; and   a second layer formed of an insulating material.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container structure is a multi-layered structure that includes:
 a first layer formed of the drop stitch material and configured to form the expandable shape;   a second layer formed of a covering material.   
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shoring structure is formed of an airtight fabric and configured to be inflated with air. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a floor of the container structure includes a layer disposed below the container structure adapted to contact a foundation. 
     
     
         13 . A method of erecting a structure, the method comprising:
 positioning a building assembly at a building site,
 wherein the building assembly includes:
 a container structure having an expandable shape that is configured to be filled with a building material, and 
 an inflatable shoring structure that supports the container structure when the container structure is filled with the building material; 
 
 inflating the shoring structure to position the container structure in a desired shape and support the container structure in a vertical direction; 
 filling the container structure with the building material; and 
 removing the shoring structure from the building assembly. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the container structure is formed of a drop stitch material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the container structure is a multi-layered structure that includes:
 an inner layer formed of a drop stitch material and configured to form the desired shape;   a middle layer formed of an insulating material;   an outer layer formed of a façade material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the container structure is a multi-layered structure that includes:
 a first layer formed of a drop stitch material;   a second layer formed of an insulating.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the container structure is a multi-layered structure that includes:
 a first layer formed of a drop stitch material;   a second layer formed of a covering material.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein inflating the shoring structure to position the container structure in a desired shape includes inflating the shoring structure in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for forming a structure, the apparatus comprising:
 an expandable container formed of a drop stitch material; and   multiple reinforcing components disposed inside the expandable container,
 wherein the reinforcing components are positioned into a fixed configuration through the expandable container when the expandable container is filled with cementitious material. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the reinforcing components include metal cables or rebar.