Building System

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a prefabricated structural beam unit for a building structure. The beam unit includes a planar sole, two laterally spaced, elongate sidewall sections, and two longitudinally spaced endwall sections. The sole, sidewall sections and endwall sections combine to define a cuboid cavity at least partially filled with a composite material, wherein at least one endwall section includes one or more structural engagement connectors dimensioned to engage with, or interlock, under gravity assistance with one or more complementary structural engagement connectors forming part of a further prefabricated building unit of the building structure. Other embodiments relate to a prefabricated structural column unit.

1 . A prefabricated structural beam unit for a building structure, the beam unit including;
 a planar sole;   two laterally spaced, elongate sidewall sections; and   two longitudinally spaced endwall sections, the sole, sidewall sections and endwall sections combining to define a cuboid cavity at least partially filled with a composite material,   wherein at least one endwall section includes one or more structural engagement connectors dimensioned to engage with, or interlock, under gravity   assistance with one or more complementary structural engagement connectors forming part of a further prefabricated building unit of the building structure.   
     
     
         2 . The prefabricated structural beam unit of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more structural engagement connectors of one or both endwall sections are in the form of one or more protrusions extending from the endwall section. 
     
     
         3 . The prefabricated structural beam unit of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more structural engagement connectors are in the form of one or more cantilevered platforms extending laterally from the endwall sections and/or sole. 
     
     
         4 . The prefabricated structural beam unit of  claim 1 , wherein the endwall section structural engagement connectors are integral with the, or each, endwall section. 
     
     
         5 . The prefabricated structural beam unit of  claim 1 , wherein one or both sidewall sections include one or more structural engagement connectors shaped and dimensioned to interlock under gravity assistance with a further prefabricated building unit of the building structure. 
     
     
         6 . The prefabricated structural beam unit of  claim 5 , wherein the sidewall structural engagement connectors are flanges protruding from the sole and/or sidewall section and are shaped and dimensioned to, in use, receive, support, and nest a prefabricated structural deck unit. 
     
     
         7 . The prefabricated structural beam unit of  claim 1 , including a reinforcing framework comprising a plurality of laterally spaced, elongate reinforcing bars internal to, and extending substantially the length of, the cuboid cavity. 
     
     
         8 . The prefabricated structural beam unit of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate reinforcing bars are encircled by a plurality of longitudinally spaced reinforcement steel bands. 
     
     
         9 . The prefabricated structural beam of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing framework is overlaid with a plurality of transverse connectors extending between the two sidewall sections. 
     
     
         10 . The prefabricated structural beam of  claim 9 , wherein each of the transverse connectors is in the form of an elongate rod having at least one adjuster connected thereto to allow for insertion of the transverse connectors between the sidewalls, and extension thereof using the one or more adjuster to securely urge the, or each, transverse connector to the sidewall sections. 
     
     
         11 . The prefabricated structural beam of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcing framework is attached directly to the sidewall sections and/or sole at intermittent distances along the lengths of the sidewalls. 
     
     
         12 . The prefabricated structural beam of  claim 1 , wherein the sole has provided thereupon one or more shear lugs, to counter downward deflection of the beam unit. 
     
     
         13 . The prefabricated structural beam of  claim 12 , wherein the shear lugs are dimensioned to extend at least partially into an interior cavity defined by the reinforcing framework. 
     
     
         14 . The prefabricated structural beam of  claim 9 , wherein the sidewalls further include interspaced apertures in which the transverse connectors are snugly received when the transverse connectors are extended using the adjusters and through which connecting rods can pass for securing the beam to a further prefabricated unit of the building structure. 
     
     
         15 . A formwork module for a prefabricated structural beam unit for a building structure, the formwork module including:
 a planar sole;   two laterally spaced, elongate sidewall sections; and   two longitudinally spaced endwall sections, the sole, sidewall sections and endwall sections combining to define a cuboid cavity dimensioned to receive a charge of composite material, wherein at least one endwall section includes one or more structural engagement connectors dimensioned to engage with, or interlock, under gravity assistance with at least one complementary structural   engagement connector forming part of a further building element of the building structure, the formwork module further including a framework comprising a plurality of laterally spaced, elongate reinforcing bars extending   substantially the length of the cuboid cavity, the formwork including a further integrated pre-formed structural engagement connector.   
     
     
         16 . A prefabricated structural column unit for a building structure, the column unit including:
 at least one integrated, pre-formed brace providing at least one structural engagement connector on an outer surface of the column unit, the structural engagement connector being shaped and dimensioned to support, or interlock with, one or more complementary structural engagement connectors forming part of a further building element under gravity assistance, wherein at least one of the further building element is the prefabricated structural beam of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         17 . The prefabricated structural column unit of  claim 16 , wherein the structural engagement connector is shaped and dimensioned to support, or interlock with one or more complementary structural engagement connectors of the beam unit. 
     
     
         18 . A building system, comprising a plurality of complementarily inter-engaging prefabricated column units, and prefabricated beam units as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each prefabricated column unit includes:
 at least one integrated, pre-formed brace providing at least one structural engagement connector on an outer surface of the column unit, the structural engagement connector being shaped and dimensioned to support, or interlock with, one or more complementary structural engagement connectors of the plurality of beam units, under gravity assistance.   
     
     
         19 . A method of constructing a multi-storey building, the method including the steps of:
 providing at least one prefabricated beam unit of  claim 1 ;   providing at least two prefabricated column units, each prefabricated column unit including at least one integrated, pre-formed brace providing at least one structural engagement connector on an outer surface of the column unit, the structural engagement connector being shaped and dimensioned to support, or interlock with, one or more complementary structural engagement connectors of a prefabricated beam unit, under gravity assistance;   interlocking the one or more structural engagement connectors of the at least one prefabricated beam unit with the at least one structural engagement connector of the prefabricated column unit; and   providing at least one precast deck unit and locking the deck unit securely to the beam unit and/or column unit using one or more connecting rods.