[0001] This invention relates to a structural support assembly particularly for supporting
an existing roof structure.
[0002] It has been recognised that certain roof structures assembled from reinforced concrete
panels have, over a number of years, suffered a gradual deformation in which the panels
have sagged between their points of support. It is an object of the present invention
to facilitate the provision of a structural support assembly in conjunction with such
a roof to provide additional support for the panels, the structural support assembly
being carried by the original existing roof support structure.
[0003] A particularly well known form of roof structure includes elongate, parallel, I-beams
spanning load bearing walls of the building and providing the primary support structure
for the roof panels. Very frequently the I-beams are formed, in order to save weight
and metal, with apertures equidistantly spaced along the web of the I-beam. Such an
arrangement is disclosed in DE-A-2 314-373. It is a particular object of the present
invention to provide a structural support assembly which can be anchored to the existing
I-beams without requiring in situ drilling or other machining of the I-beams, while
providing a flexible means of support for additional, subsidiary, beams.
[0004] In accordance with the present invention there is provided a structural support assembly
comprising a first clamp having a first jaw member arranged to engage one face of
the web of an I-beam, a second jaw member arranged to engage the opposite face of
the I-beam and securing means joining the first and second jaw members and extending,
in use, through an existing aperture of the I-beam, the jaw members being shaped to
span said aperture of the web of the I-beam; a second, similar clamp the securing
means of which extends through the same, or an adjacent aperture of the I-beam; and
an elongate angle member extending parallel to the I-beam and secured to said first
jaws of said first and second clamps such that one limb of the angle member is, in
use, substantially horizontal so as to be able to form a support ledge for one end
of a subsidiary, roof supporting beam of the assembly in use.
[0005] Preferably said angle member is secured to said first and second clamps by the securing
means securing the first and second jaws of each clamp together.
[0006] In accordance with the further aspect of the present invention there is provided
a method of supporting a structural support assembly from an apertured I-beam comprising
positioning a first jaw member of a first clamp against one face of the web of the
I-beam, positioning a second jaw member of the first clamp against the opposite face
of the I-beam, using securing means joining the first and second jaw members to clamp
the jaw members against opposite faces of the I-beam, the jaw members being shaped
to span an aperture in the web of the I-beam, securing a second similar clamp in the
same way through the same, or an adjacent aperture of the I-beam, and, securing an
elongate angle member to said first and second clamps with the angle member extending
parallel to the I-beam, whereby the angle member can form a support ledge for one
end of a subsidiary, roof supporting beam of the structural support assembly.
[0007] Preferably the method includes securing said angle member to said first and second
clamps by means of the securing means securing the first jaw member of each clamp
to the second jaw member of that clamp.
[0008] Preferably the same operation of said securing means clamps said jaw members to said
web and said angle member to said clamps.
[0009] Desirably said jaw members of said clamps are positioned at right angles to the length
of the I-beam.
[0010] Preferably said jaw members abut the upwardly presented face of the lower flange
of the I-beam.
[0011] One example of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:-
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of part of a structural support for a concrete
panel roof,
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of part of a lattice beam for use in the
structural support of Figure 1,
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a subsidiary beam support structure
clamped to an existing I-beam,
Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view, to an enlarged scale, on the line 4-4 of
Figure 3,
Figure 5 is a view in the direction of arrow A in Figure 3 illustrating a pair of
subsidiary beams supported from a main I-beam,
Figures 6,7 and 8 are diagrammatic views respectively of additional features of the
support structure of Figure 1, and
Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a modification.
[0012] Referring to the drawings, beams 11 are existing conventional hot rolled steel I-beams
the web 12 of which is formed with apertures 13, generally of diamond shape, and equidistantly
spaced along its length. Such beams are well known. In Figure 1 the beams 11 are shown
parallel to one another and span load bearing walls of the building, the load bearing
walls being parallel to one another and at right angles to the length of the beams.
It is to be understood that this is a simplistic view of a building roof construction,
and there may be other I-beams 11 running at right angles to the I-beams shown in
Figure 1 and supported by columns or other vertical structural elements in the building.
The main beams 11 constitute the primary support structure for the roof construction.
A known problem exists where the roof construction consists of a plurality of precast,
reinforced concrete panels spanning adjacent main I-beams 11. It is recognised that
over a period of years the central regions of certain forms of concrete panels may
sag downwardly between the main beams 11 prejudicing the structural integrity of the
roof. It has been proposed to build a cradle of lattice beams 14 carried from the
main beams 11 and the vertical structural supports of the building so that the cradle
of lattice beams can provide a supporting structure intermediate the beams 11 to accept
the load of the deforming concrete panels.
[0013] In Figure 1 individual lattice beams spanning main beams 11 are denoted by the reference
numeral 14, while lattice beams spanning the lattice beams 14 are denoted by the reference
numeral 15. Each of the lattice beams 14, 15 is in the form of upper and lower elongate
outwardly flanged channels 16, 17 spaced apart by a zig-zag arrangement of stretchers
18 welded to the base walls of the upper and lower channels 16, 17. As can be seen
in Figure 2 the upper channel member 16 is longer than the lower channel member 17
so as to protrude at both ends of the lattice beam beyond the channel member 17. Additional
pairs of stretchers 19 join the ends of the lower channel member 17 to the upper channel
member 16, the stretchers 19 being welded to the flanges of the channel members 16,
17 rather than to the base walls as is the case with the stretchers 18.
[0014] Clearly it is extremely desirable to be able to construct the cradle of lattice beams
14, 15 with minimum disruption to the existing structure of the building. Naturally
drilling or other cutting or shaping of the main beams 11 is extremely undesirable
in view of their location in the roof space of the building, and Figures 3, 4 and
5 illustrate a convenient way of supporting the lattice beams 14 from the main beams
11.
[0015] Figure 3 clearly shows the spaced, generally diamond-shaped apertures 13 in the vertical
web 12 of the I-beams 11. First and second clamps 21, 21
a are secured to the web 12 at adjacent apertures 13. Each clamp 21, 21
a includes front and rear jaws engaging opposite faces of the web 12 respectively,
and spanning the respective aperture 13. The front and rear jaws 22, 23 of the clamp
21 are identical, and each consists of a length of rectangular-section channel. Each
of the jaws 22, 23 is cold rolled in galvanised mild steel, and the jaws are each
arranged with their open face presented to the web 12. The length of each jaw 22,
23 is such that the jaw can fit vertically between the upper and lower flanges of
the beam 11, being long enough to span the vertical dimension of the respective aperture
13. Although not shown in Figure 3, it is desirable that the jaws 22, 23 have their
low ends seated on the upper face of the lower flange of the beam 11. The base webs
of the channels defining the jaws 22, 23 are apertured to receive elongate fixing
bolts 24 which extend through the jaws 22, 23 and the respective aperture 13, and
which are tightened to clamp the jaws 22, 23 against opposite faces of the web 12.
[0016] It will be recognised that the channel sections defining the jaws of the clamps 21,
21
a are parallel, and are vertically orientated in use. In order to provide a support
for an end of one or more lattice beams 14 there is provided an elongate mild steel
angle 25 which is disposed horizontally, and spans the base webs of the front jaws
22 of the clamps 21, 21
a. The angle member 25 is also cold rolled from galvanised mild steel, and comprises
a pair of limbs disposed at right angles to one another. The vertically oriented limb
of the angle member 25 is secured to the jaws 22 of the clamps 21, 21
a by the upper fixing bolts 24 of the clamps which are extended to pass through the
limb of the angle member 25 and thus clamp the angle member 25 to the jaws 22 at the
same time as clamping the jaws 22, 23 to the web 12. It will be recognised that the
other limb of the angle member 25 is thus generally horizontally disposed parallel
to, but below, the plane of the upper flange of the beam 11. The horizontal flange
25a of the angle member 25 thus constitutes a horizontal ledge upon which one end
of the upper channel 16 of a lattice beam 14 can be seated.
[0017] Any convenient arrangement can be provided for clamping the end of the upper channel
16 of the lattice beam 14 to the angle member 25, and conveniently a hooked screw
clamping device 26 of the kind known as a "LINDAPTER" is utilised.
[0018] Figure 5 illustrates that angle members 25 can be secured by the bolts 24 to both
front and rear jaws 22, 23 of the clamps 21, 21
a so that beams 14 can be supported at right angles to, and on opposite sides of the
beam 11. Shims or other packing members can be interposed between the members 25 and
the beams 14 if necessary to adjust the height and/or inclination of the beams 14.
[0019] Figure 6 illustrates one end of the beam 14 supported on an angle member 25 as described
above, with the opposite end of the beam 14 supported at a load bearing wall of the
building. Figure 7 shows the load bearing wall end of the beam 14 in more detail.
It can be seen in Figure 7 that the load bearing wall 30 (in this case a cast concrete
wall) is formed with a horizontally extending pocket 31 the lower wall 32 of which
defines a horizontal ledge. A plurality of vertically orientated bolts 33 were cast
into the wall 30 when the wall was constructed, the threaded ends of the bolts projecting
upwardly through the ledge 32 into the pocket 31. The pre-existing bolts 33 are arranged
in adjacent pairs, and each pair of bolts is used to secure a right angle cleat 34
to the ledge 32, shims or other packing pieces 35 being interposed between the horizontal
flange of the cleat 34 and the ledge 32 if necessary to adjust the height of the cleat.
[0020] The vertical flange of each cleat 34 extends downwardly parallel with the face of
the wall 30 and has a channel, or angle member 36 bolted thereto. The channel or angle
member will span two or more cleats 34 in a manner similar to the angle member 25
associated with the beam 11. The angle member or channel 36 has a horizontal upper
face providing a seating surface for the upper channel member 16 of the lattice beam
14. Again shims or packing pieces 35 can be interposed between the upper face of the
channel or angle member 35 and the channel member 16 of the beam 14. The end of the
channel member 16 can be secured to the angle member 35 in any convenient manner,
for example using a " LINDAPTER" as described in relation to the opposite end of the
beam 14.
[0021] Figures 6 and 8 illustrate how lattice beams 15, substantially identical in design
to the lattice beams 14 can be supported from the lattice beams 14 so as to span adjacent
lattice beams 14.
[0022] Each opposite end face of each upper channel member of a beam 15 has a right angle
cleat 37 welded thereto. The cleat is simply a short length of right-angled cold rolled
mild steel which has its vertically extending flange welded to the vertical end face
of the channel member 16 of the beam 15. The cleat 37 is so positioned that the upper
face of the horizontally extending flange of the cleat is generally flush with the
top surfaces of the outwardly extending flanges of the channel member 16, and the
beams 15 are formed so that their length, excluding the protruding portions of the
cleats 37 at opposite ends, is equal to the spacing between parallel beams 14. Thus
a beam 15 can simply be placed between parallel beams 14 so that the horizontal flanges
of the cleats 37 engage the upper faces of the channel members 16 of the beams 14
whereby the beams 15 are carried by the beams 14.
[0023] In use, a cradle of beams 14, 15 is constructed beneath the concrete roof panels,
supported by the existing roof support structure. Elongate inflatable elements are
then interposed between the upper faces of the horizontal flanges of the beams 14,
15 and the underside of the concrete panels, and the elements are then inflated to
fill the gap between the cradle of beams 14, 15 and the panels such that the cradle,
and ultimately the original support structure including the supporting walls 30 and
the beams 11, accepts the load of the concrete panels. Thereafter grout is introduced
into the gap between the upper surfaces of the flanges of the beams 14, 15 and the
underside of the panels so that after the grout solidifies it transfers the load of
the panels to the supporting cradle.
[0024] Figure 9 illustrates a modification of the arrangement illustrated in Figure 5 in
which the jaws 22, 23 of the clamps 21, 21
a are formed from plane, rigid strip metal, rather than from channel sections as illustrated
in Figure 5.
[0025] The use of channel sections to form the jaws 22, 23 results in the or each angle
member 25 being spaced by the height of the channel from the web 12 of the beam 11.
In some applications the height of the channel section jaws can prove problematic
owing to the proximity of surfaces such as pipework or ducts 38 to the web 12 of the
beam 11. Figure 9 illustrates that the jaws 22, 23 can be formed from plane, rigid
metal strip such that the angle members 25 are spaced from the web 12 by the thickness
of the strip and thus accommodate pre-existing surface pipes or ducts 38 already in
close proximity to the web 12 of the beam 11.
[0026] In Figure 5 the ends of the upper channels 16 of the lattice beams 14 are shown to
overlap the angle members 25 and to be clamped thereto by clamping devices 26. Figure
9 illustrates that the ends of the lattice beams 14 can be provided with right angle
cleats 37 as described in relation to the beams 15, the cleats 37 overlying the angle
members 25 and being clamped thereto by clamping devices 26.
[0027] The planar jaws 22, 23 of Figure 9 are secured to the web 12 by bolts 24 passing
through the preformed aperture of the web 12 in the manner described above.
1. A structural support assembly for supporting an existing roof structure from an existing
I-beam, said structural support assembly comprising a first clamp (21) having a first
jaw member (22) arranged to engage one face of the web (12) of the I-beam (11), a
second jaw member (23) arranged to engage the opposite face of the web (12) of the
I-beam, and, securing means (24) joining the first and second jaw members (22, 23)
and extending, in use, through an existing aperture (13) in the web of the I-beam,
the jaw members (22, 23) being shaped to span said aperture (13) of the web (12) of
the I-beam (11), a second similar clamp (21a) the securing means of which extends
through the same, or an adjacent, aperture of the I-beam, characterised by an elongate angle member (25) extending parallel to the I-beam and secured to the
first jaws (22) of the first and second clamps (21, 21a) such that one limb (25a)
of the angle member (25) is substantially horizontal in use so as to be able to form
a support ledge for one end of a subsidiary, roof supporting beam of the structural
support assembly in use.
2. A structural support assembly as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that said angle member (25) is secured to said first and second clamps (21, 21a) by the
securing means securing the first and second jaws of each clamp together.
3. A method of supporting a structural support assembly from an apertured I-beam said
method comprising positioning a first jaw member (22) of a first clamp (21) against
one face of the web (12) of the I-beam (11), positioning a second jaw member (23)
of the first clamp (21) against the opposite face of the web (12) of the I-beam (11),
using securing means (24) joining the first and second jaw members (22, 23) to clamp
the jaw members against opposite faces of the I-beam, the jaw members (22, 23) being
shaped to span an aperture (13) in the web (12) of the I-beam (11), securing a second
similar clamp (21a) in the same way through the same, or an adjacent, aperture of
the I-beam, characterised by securing an elongate angle member (25) to the first and second clamps (21, 21a) with
the angle member extending parallel to the I-beam whereby the angle member (25) can
form a support ledge (25a) for one end of a subsidiary, roof supporting beam of the
structural support assembly.
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 characterised in that said angle member (25) is secured to said first and second clamps (21, 21a) by means
of the securing means securing the first jaw member of each clamp to the second jaw
member of that clamp.
5. A method as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 characterised in that said securing means clamps said jaw members to said web and clamps said angle member
(25) to said clamps (21, 21a).
6. A method as claimed in any one of preceding Claims 3 to 5 characterised in that said jaw members of said clamps (21, 21a) are positioned at right angles to the length
of the I-beam (11).
7. A method as claimed in Claim 6 characterised in that said jaw members abut the upwardly presented face of the lower flange of the I-beam
(11).
1. Tragkonstruktionsbaugruppe für das Tragen einer vorhandenen Dachkonstruktion aus einem
vorhandenen Doppel-T-Träger, wobei die Tragkonstruktionsbaugruppe aufweist: eine erste
Klemmvorrichtung (21) mit einem ersten Klemmbackenelement (22), das so eingerichtet
ist, daß es mit einer Fläche des Steges (12) des Doppel-T-Trägers (11) in Eingriff
kommt, einem zweiten Klemmbackenelement (23), das so eingerichtet ist, daß es mit
der entgegengesetzten Fläche des Steges (12) des Doppel-T-Trägers in Eingriff kommt,
und einer Sicherungseinrichtung (24), die das erste und das zweite Klemmbackenelement
(22, 23) verbindet und sich bei Benutzung durch eine vorhandene Öffnung (13) im Steg
des Doppel-T-Trägers erstreckt, wobei die Klemmbackenelemente (22, 23) so geformt
sind, daß sie die Öffnung (13) des Steges (12) des Doppel-T-Trägers (11) überbrücken;
eine zweite gleiche Klemmvorrichtung (21a), deren Sicherungseinrichtung sich durch
die gleiche oder eine benachbarte Öffnung des Doppel-T-Trägers erstreckt; gekennzeichnet durch ein längliches Winkelelement (25), das sich parallel zum Doppel-T-Träger erstreckt
und an den ersten Klemmbacken (22) der ersten und zweiten Klemmvorrichtung (21, 21a)
so gesichert ist, daß ein Schenkel (25a) des Winkelelementes (25) bei Benutzung im
wesentlichen horizontal ist, um so in der Lage zu sein, einen Stützabsatz für ein
Ende einer Hilfsdachbalkenlage der Tragkonstruktionsbaugruppe bei Benutzung zu bilden.
2. Tragkonstruktionsbaugruppe nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Winkelelement (25) an der ersten und zweiten Klemmvorrichtung (21, 21a) mittels
der Sicherungseinrichtung gesichert wird, die die erste und zweite Klemmbacke einer
jeden Klemmvorrichtung miteinander sichert.
3. Verfahren zum Tragen einer Tragkonstruktionsbaugruppe von einem mit Öffnungen versehenen
Doppel-T-Träger, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte aufweist: Positionieren
des ersten Klemmbackenelementes (22) einer ersten Klemmvorrichtung (21) an einer Fläche
des Steges (12) des Doppel-T-Trägers (11); Positionieren eines zweiten Klemmbackenelementes
(23) der ersten Klemmvorrichtung (21) an der entgegengesetzten Fläche des Steges (12)
des Doppel-T-Trägers (11), indem eine Sicherungseinrichtung (24) verwendet wird, die
das erste und zweite Klemmbackenelement (22, 23) verbindet, um die Klemmbackenelemente
an entgegengesetzten Flächen des Doppel-T-Trägers festzuklemmen, wobei die Klemmbackenelemente
(22, 23) so geformt sind, daß sie eine Öffnung (13) im Steg (12) des Doppel-T-Trägers
(11) überbrücken; Sichern einer zweiten gleichen Klemmvorrichtung (21a) in der gleichen
Weise durch die gleiche oder eine benachbarte Öffnung des Doppel-T-Trägers; gekennzeichnet durch ein Sichern eines länglichen Winkelelementes (25) an der ersten und zweiten Klemmvorrichtung
(21, 21a), wobei sich das Winkelelement parallel zum Doppel-T-Träger erstreckt, wodurch
das Winkelelement (25) einen Stützabsatz (25a) für ein Ende einer Hilfsdachbalkenlage
der Tragkonstruktionsbaugruppe bilden kann.
4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Winkelelement (25) an der ersten und zweiten Klemmvorrichtung (21, 21a) mittels
der Sicherungseinrichtung gesichert wird, die das erste Klemmbackenelement einer jeden
Klemmvorrichtung am zweiten Klemmbackenelement jener Klemmvorrichtung sichert.
5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 3 oder Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Sicherungseinrichtung die Klemmbackenelemente am Steg festklemmt und das Winkelelement
(25) an den Klemmvorrichtungen (21, 21a) festklemmt.
6. Verfahren nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche 3 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Klemmbackenelemente der Klemmvorrichtungen (21, 21a) unter rechten Winkeln zur
Länge des Doppel-T-Trägers (11) positioniert sind.
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Klemmbackenelemente an die nach oben liegende Fläche des unteren Flansches des
Doppel-T-Trägers (11) anstoßen.
1. Assemblage de support structural pour supporter une structure de toit existante à
partir d'une poutre en 1 existante, ledit assemblage de support structural comprenant
une première bride de fixation (21) comportant un premier élément de mâchoire (22)
destiné à s'engager dans une face de l'âme (12) de la poutre en I (11), un deuxième
élément de mâchoire (23) destiné à s'engager dans la face opposée de l'âme (12) de
la poutre en I, et un moyen de fixation (24) reliant les premier et deuxième éléments
de mâchoire (22, 23) et s'étendant en service à travers une ouverture existante (13)
dans l'âme de la poutre en I, les éléments de mâchoire (22, 23) étant formés de sorte
à s'étendre au-dessus de ladite ouverture (13) de l'âme (12) de la poutre en I (11),
une deuxième bride de fixation similaire (21a), dont le moyen de fixation correspondant
s'étend à travers la même ouverture de la poutre en I ou à travers une ouverture adjacente
à celle-ci, caractérisé par un élément angulaire allongé (25) s'étendant parallèlement à la poutre en I et étant
fixé sur les premières mâchoires (22) des première et deuxième brides de fixation
(21, 21a), de sorte qu'un membre (25a) de l'élément angulaire (25) est pratiquement
horizontal en service, pouvant former en service une moulure de support pour une extrémité
d'une poutre de support subsidiaire du toit de l'assemblage de support structural.
2. Assemblage de support structural selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément angulaire (25) est fixé sur lesdites première et deuxième brides de
fixation (21, 21a) par le moyen de fixation assemblant les première et deuxième mâchoires
de chaque bride de fixation.
3. Procédé de support d'un assemblage de support structural à partir d'une poutre en
I pourvue d'ouvertures, ledit procédé comprenant les étapes de positionnement d'un
premier élément de mâchoire (22) d'une première bride de fixation (21) contre une
face de l'âme (12) de la poutre en I (11), de positionnement d'un deuxième élément
de mâchoire (23) de la première bride de fixation (21) contre la face opposée de l'âme
(12) de la poutre en I (11), d'utilisation d'un moyen de fixation (24) reliant les
premier et deuxième éléments de mâchoire (22, 23) pour serrer les éléments de mâchoire
contre les faces opposées de la poutre en I, les éléments de mâchoire (22, 23) étant
formés de sorte à s'étendre au-dessus d'une ouverture (13) dans l'âme (12) de la poutre
en I (11), de fixation d'une deuxième bride de fixation similaire (21a), de la même
manière à travers la même ouverture de la poutre en I ou à travers une ouverture adjacente
à celle-ci, caractérisé par l'étape de fixation d'un élément angulaire allongé (25) sur les première et deuxième
brides de fixation (21, 21a), l'élément angulaire s'étendant parallèlement à la poutre
en I, l'élément angulaire (25) pouvant ainsi former une moulure de support (25a) pour
une extrémité d'une poutre de support subsidiaire du toit de l'assemblage de support
structural.
4. Procédé selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que ledit élément angulaire (25) est fixé sur lesdites première et deuxième brides de
fixation (21, 21a) par l'intermédiaire du moyen de fixation fixant le premier élément
de mâchoire de chaque bride de fixation sur le deuxième élément de mâchoire de cette
bride de fixation.
5. Procédé selon les revendications 3 ou 4, caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de fixation serre lesdits éléments de mâchoire sur ladite âme et serre
ledit élément angulaire (25) sur lesdites brides de fixation (21, 21a).
6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments de mâchoire desdites brides de fixation (21, 21a) sont positionnés
à angles droits par rapport à la longueur de la poutre en I (11).
7. Procédé selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que lesdits éléments de mâchoire butent vers la face orientée vers le haut de la flasque
inférieure de la poutre en 1 (11).