[0001] This invention relates to a boxing for concrete buildings as well as to a method
for using such a boxing.
[0002] It is well known that the conventional methods for erecting buildings are very cumbersome
and required long times of processing and also specialized workmanship for the several
complementary steps which are necessary to build a house for civil dwelling. The constructional-run
for concrete by employing reinforced concrete both for providing the horizontal and
the vertical structural members is conventionally performed by casting concrete mixture
into boxings placed in the building yard for the formation of a reinforced concrete
skeleton, whereafter the internal and external closures are made with masonry walls,
which are generally hollow so as to house the servicing installations therein. This
erection process, which is performed in sequentially ordered complete steps has, furthermore,
the defect that the finishing operations cannot be carried out simul: taneously.
[0003] By the partial or integral prefabrication it has been attempted to solve these problems,
while reducing both the working times and the first costs, but this mode of building
has originated other problems, such as, above all, that of shipping the prefabricated
members and their manipulation at the building yards, in union with the well known
uneasiness of assembling the prefabricated component parts and the resultant questionable
solidity of the building so obtained.
[0004] An object of the present invention is thus to offset the drawbacks of the constructional
methods heretofore conventional, by drastically reducing the times which are required
for erecting building for civil dwelling and removing to a degree the specialized
workmanship for the different operations, while still ensuring a considerable accuracy
in processing, also in sequentially ordered steps and without originating problems
as to shipping and manipulation.
[0005] Having this object in view, this invention suggests, in the first place, a newly
conceived boxing, by employing which it becomes possible to adopt a novel erection
procedure which affords a number of advantages both as regards the rapidity of performance
of the works and the accuracy of the erection steps with a reduced workmanship and
without specialized people.
[0006] The boxing according to the invention is essentially characterized in that it comprises
a supporting structure or framing for conventional boxing-closure panels, composed
of assemblable and interchangeable members of stamped, bent and perforarated sheet
metal, said sheet metal members being intended to provide a vertical and horizontal
structural skeleton to which are removably affixable the boxing-closure panels.
[0007] The fundamental component part of said supporting structure is a member which can
serve both as an upright and as a beam and is substantially composed of two L-shaped
rolled sections confrontingly spaced apart from one another with their longer webs
which are connected together at regular intervals by couples of small tubes, whereas
the shorter webs of the two rolled sections lie on the same plane and are equipped
with bores for securing the boxing-closure panels resting against the outer surfaces
of said shorter webs.
[0008] These component parts which are intended to act indifferently as uprights and as
beams have a standard length and can properly be jointed together to provide a pillar
or a floor beam of the supporting structure.
[0009] In order to make it possible to assemble the supporting structure starting from a
horizontal plane, which can be the foundation plane or the plane of a previously cast
floor, an element is provided, to be called a base board, said element being similar
to the upright/ beam element aforementioned, but is shorter than the latter and has
a baseplate for resting on said reference plane.
[0010] The supporting structure of the boxing then comprises a few auxiliary elements, such
as foraminous junction plates, joint coverings, takeup Z-shaped plates, angular plates,
tie bars of adjustable length and others, as will be better understood from the ensuing
detailed description aided by the accompanying drawings.
[0011] By adopting the boxing provided according to the present invention it is possible
to carry out an erection method for houses for civil dwelling which is clearly distinguished
over those of the prior and contemporary art and this both in comparison with the
conventional processes using boxings assembled at the building yards and those which
use prefabricated elements.
[0012] The erection method according to the present invention provides in the first place
the laying and assembling of the supporting structure composed of uprights and beams
following a preselected pattern and providing also the openings for doors and windows,
whereafter there are positioned within the hollow spaces of the walls, possibly after
having applied the panels of either surface thereof, the installations for any kind
of services, the iron reinforcing bars and others, whereafter the boxing closure us
proceeded with by applying the panels to the other surface of the walls and lastly
carrying out the casting of the concrete mix by pouring it down initially in the outer
and inner walls and then in the floors and cantilevers, if any, whereupon the entire
surface exposed is smoothly plastered.
[0013] Once the concrete has duly ripened and the boxing is dismantled, to recover all the
boxing items, it is possible to proceed at once with all the necessary finishing steps.
[0014] It should be noted that, differently from the procedure which employs prefabricated
building blocks, with all the attendant troubles as to shipping and handling at the
building yards, this invention affords the considerable advantage that the several
sheet metal components which compose the supporting structure of the boxing are lightweight
and can thus easily shipped and handled.
[0015] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly
apparent from the ensuing detailed description of a practical exemplary embodiment,
reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein :
FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatical plan view of the pattern of a few rooms of a dwelling.
FIGURE 2 is an elevational view, partly in section taken along the line II-II of FIGURE
1.
FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are side view and cross-sectional views, the latter taken along
the arrow 3 and the lines IV-IV and V-V of Figure 2, of details of the structure shown
in Figure 2.
FIGURE 6 shows in detail and on an enlarged scale the bottom end of an upright of
the supporting structure of the boxing.
FIGURE 7 shows in detail and on an enlarged scale a corner of the boxing in horizontal
cross-sectional view.
FIGURE 8 is a view taken along the direction of the arrows A-A of FIGURE 7 of a corner
member.
FIGURE 9 shows the development on a plane of the corner member.
FIGURE 10 shows a modification of an angle zone of the boxing in horizontal cross-sectional
view taken along the line X-X of FIGURE 11, and
FIGURE 11 shows the same modification in elevation, and partly in cross-section taken
along the line XI-XI of FIGURE 10.
[0016] As can be seen in FIGURE 1, on a horizontal foundation plane or an already cast floor,
the trend of the inner and the outer walls of a set of rooms to be erected is patterned,
on taking into account the thicknesses of the walls one desires to erect and of the
wood panels of the boxing and indicating the positions and the dimensions of the doors,
windows, servicing appliances, installations and the like. In addition, the drawing
clearly shows by small squares the positions of the uprights for the walls and by
dotted lines the positions of the floor beams forming the supporting structure for
the boxing as provided according to the invention.
[0017] In FIGURE 1 there are clearly indicated such small squares 10, the dotted lines 11
for the floor beams and the thickness 12 of the wood panels for the boxing. In addition,
there are shown windows 13 and doors 14.
[0018] Following said pattern the supporting structure for the boxing is now erected. In
the first place, at each position of an upright (small square 10 in FIGURE 1), there
is laid and secured by nails or otherwise on said horizontal plane a baseboard element
15 (see FIGURE 2 and more particularly FIGURES 3, 4 and 6). The baseboard 15 is composed
of two L-shaped rolled sections, 16 and 17, respectively, which are integral at either
end with a baseplate 18. The two rolled irons 16 and 17 are confrontingly mounted
and spaced apart from one another with their longer webs 16a and 17a (see FIGURES
3 and 4) which are mutually interconnected by a couple of small tubes 19, whereas
their shorter webs 16b and 17b lies on the same plane and carry bores 21 for fastening
the boxing-closure panels 20. Also the baseplate 18 has bores 22 for securing the
baseboard 15 on the horizontal plane (see FIGURES 2 and 6).
[0019] To the sides of the longer webs 16a, 17a of the baseboard 15 there are secured foraminous
plates 23 for regulation. The fastening of such plates 23 takes place by the aid of
bolts slipped through the small tubes 19 which connect the rolled irons 16, 17 of
the baseboard 15 and, by shifting the fastening bores, it is possible to vary the
height of the upright to adjust it to the desired level. As a matter of fact, the
upright components 24, the first of which is secured to the couple of plates 23, have
a standard length. Thus, for example, with three upright elements 24 plus a baseboard
15 and a couple of plates 23 for adjustment it is possible to attain the desired height,
as shown in FIGURE 2.
[0020] The upright elements 24 have the same configuration as the baseboard elements 15,
the only difference being that the former are longer than the latter and are not fitted
with the baseplate 18. Conversely, the elements 24 are equipped with a plurality of
couples of small tubes 19 for connecting the longer webs of the rolled sections in
the shape of an L, said couples of small tubes being marshalled along the length of
said roller sections.
[0021] It is thus apparent that, to the couple of plates 23 secured to the baseboard element
15, there is fastened, in turn, by bolting, the first upright element 24 and that,
to the latter, the second upright element 24 is superposedly attached and is united
therewith by two joint coverings 25 and so forth.
[0022] To ensure the perfect vertical trim of the upright, between the first element 24
and a specially provided plumbing tag 26 an adjustable tensioning device 27 can be
inserted as shown in FIGURES 2 and 6, which also acts as a shore.
[0023] It is to be noted that the assembling of the upright elements 24 which serve to attain
the desired wall height, that is of those elements 24 which follow the first one which
has been secured to the baseboard 15 via the couple of adjusting plates 23, can be
carried out on a plane, then completing the last element 24 with appropriate terminal
headers which are require for the several subsequent operations. All the assembly
of these elements united together can thus be lifted and connected to the first upright
element which has already been erected and vertically plumbed.
[0024] An upright intended for coacting with a floor beam is completed with terminal headers
consisting of takeup Z-shaped plates, indicated at 28 in FIGURE 5, an upright placed
on the outer periphery being intended to limit the floor thickness is completed at
its top by two adjusting plates 23 and an upright which is intended to have united
thereto a short cantilever beam can be terminated by joint coverings such as 25 and
so forth.
[0025] The wall corners, both internal and external, are made with two uprights, as shown
in FIGURE 7, which are connected together by special angle plates 29 and 30, right
and left, respectively, one of which is shown in another view also in FIGURE 8 and
in the development on a plane in FIGURE 9.
[0026] Each of these angle plates comprises a first bedplate 31 having two bores for connecting,
by bolting, to a couple of small tubes 19 which connect the longer webs 16a and 17a
of an upright element 24. From the bedplate 31 is bent at right angles a wall 32 which
is terminated by an oblique edge, from which is bent at right angles a second bedplate
33 oriented along a direction opposite to that of the first bedplate 31.
[0027] Also this second bedplate 33 has two bores. From the wall 32 there are then bent
towards the first bedplate 31 two reinforcing webs 34, 35 which are made integral
with the bedplate 31 itself.
[0028] The right and the left angle plates are distinguished from one another exclusively
in that the bedplates 31 and 33 are bent relative to the wall 32 in opposite directions,
on taking into account that the webs 34, 35 are always bent towards the first bedplate
31.
[0029] At any corner, be it external or internal, there are provided couples of right and
left angle plates 29, 30 which are connected together in correspondence with their
second bedplates 33, the latter being positioned the one along-side the other by bolting
or otherwise, as can be clearly seen in FIGURE 7.
[0030] Obviously, along the entire height of an upright there can be provided more than
one couple of such angle plates 29, 30.
[0031] It is to be observed, in addition, that the uprights of the supporting structure
which relate to the same building wall are positioned pairwise symmetrically and frontally
so as to be able to provide conveniently, through the slits between the two L-shaped
rolled sections forming the uprights, for the positioning of tie bars and spreaders
to ensure the tightness of the boxing.
[0032] - Once the assemblage of all the verti-cal structural elements of the supporting
structure has been completed, the assemblage of the horizontal structure can be started.
[0033] Such an horizontal structure is made up with the same elements which have already
been exploited for the vertical structure. It comprises beam elements and bracket
elements for overhangingly supporting balconi-s, eaves and like members.
[0034] These elements can be mounted already completed on the ground in readiness for being
secured to the components of the vertical structure.
[0035] Substantially, the upright elements 24, already disclosed in the foregoing, are used
once again, but now they act as beams and the adjusting plates 23 are likewise used.
[0036] As outlined above, the union between an upright and a horizontal beam is carried
out by using takeup Z-plates 28.
[0037] The details of such a union can be seen in FIG. 5. To the upper couple of small tubes
19 of the last upright element 24 at top there are bolted two Z-plates 28. Each web
of each Z-plate has four bores with a couple of bores oriented vertically and the
second couple oriented horizontally. To these two Z-plates there can be secured two
adjustment plates 23 so as to attain the desired beam span, and to the plates 23 there
are secured again two additional Z-plates. Between the free webs of the latter the
first element 24 is now secured, which has now the function of a beam, that is, with
its two larger webs arranged vertically and with its shorter webs arranged horizontally
and directed upwardly. The junction between subsequent elements 24 is still made by
joint coverings 25. As outlined above all the component parts which are necessary
to make up an entire beam can be assembled and completed still on the ground in readiness
for being fastened to the Z-plates 28 carried atop the upright elements 24.
[0038] In order that the necessary stiffness and resistance may be obtained for the horizontal
structure with a view of supporting the load of a floor having the required thickness
of concrete slabs, it is possible to provide a truss-like arrangement by exploiting
tension ties 27 as shown in FIGURE 2.
[0039] By properly adjusting such tension ties it is possible to produce the tension which
is required for obtaining the beam sag reversal necessary for effecting the casting
in plane.
[0040] Once that the horizontal beams have been installed, the continuity between the vertical
and the horizontal structures is achieved. Of course, in the case of considerably
long spans, it is possible to provide appropriate reinforcing posts, by using spreaders
and tensioning elements.
[0041] Also in order to provide overhanging brackets for balconies, eaves and the like,
the same structural elements as described above can be utilized.
[0042] Once the skeleton or the supporting structures of the boxing have been completed,
one may proceed with the operation of implementing, whenever this is requested, the
walls and the floor and positioning the appliances for any kind of services as desired
and anything that one desired to leave embedded in the thickness of the walls and
the floor. In order to make more convenient the laying of pipes, conduits, prefabricated
complete units for bathrooms and kitchens, electricity sockets and the like, it is
advisable to previously apply the wood panels of the boxing relative to either wall
surface and those for the floor boxing, by provisionally securing them to the sides
of the upright/beam elements 24 by using the specially provided bores 21 for the nails
so as to make up an open boxing.
[0043] FIGURE 6 shows by way of example how there can be positioned within a wall a water-distribution
unit 36 intended to connect the pipelines of a bathroom and/or a kitchen to vertical
pipelines 37 embedded within the wall thickness, whereas in the thickness of the floor
horizontal pipes 38 are embedded. It is apparent that the operations of laying, jointing
and others for all of these services can easily be carried out with the boxing still
open, whereas the fittings intended to protrude out of the wall surfaces shall be
shielded in any appropriate way.
[0044] Once also the operation of equipping the walls with the servicing conduits has been
completed, also the reinforcing irons for the concrete are preset and positioned,
whereafter the boxing is sealed by applying the other wood panels thereto.
[0045] During this stage of completion of the boxing,also the tie bars and the spreaders
for latching the wood panels are properly placed in position.
[0046] The setting of the inner and outer window and door frames deserves be mentioned now.
To provide the boxing outside the window and door openings one uses as the supporting
members the Z-plates 28 and the foraminous plates 23 for adjustment as shown in FIGURE
2. About the so formed empty spaces one can place the counterframes of the doors and
the counterframes of the windows can be placed in position by exploiting appropriate
means to have these component parts embedded in the cast concrete. The empty spaces
to be allowed for the headrooms to be left for sliding shutter compartments and the
like are obtained by inserting appropriate shims, for example ones of expanded plastics
materials, to be removed upon casting the concrete mix and to be thrown away subsequently.
[0047] On completion of the operation described above, the boxing is readiness for effecting
the concrete mixture casting thereinto, to be carried out by pouring is continuously
in the form of a sticky and soft putty and starting from the outer and the inner walls
and ending with the floors and the overhanging portions of the building. Once the
desired thickness for the floors is achieved, the entire exposed surface is plastered
and smoothed.
[0048] It is possible to effect the casting of an entire house or a floor or a room, with
the internal and external partition walls.
[0049] Once the concrete cast has hardened the overhauling run is started so as to recover
the entire machinery employed, both of wood and iron, which made up the boxing and
this machinery can be reused for a subsequent production run.
[0050] The tensile stresses in the hardened concrete as applied to the boxing which holds
it is discharged, during overhauling of the boxing, by first loosening the bolts of
the adjustment plates at the foot of the uprights.
[0051] Subsequently, the tie bars are slipped out and the bolts, if any, whereafter all
the remaining component parts of the boxing can be removed conveniently.
[0052] The concrete structure obtained in this way is in immediate readiness for all the
necessary finishing operations.
[0053] In the exemplary embodiment of the boxing as described in the foregoing paragraphs,
provision is made for closing the boxing by means of wood panels to be recovered as
the concrete has properly hardened. It is quite possible, however, to use also no-reuse
panels, that is panels intended to be left permanently embedded in the casting both
on the internal and the external side of the walls. In this case, after having installed
the supporting structure, proper provision is made to apply to the upright elements
first spaced wooden slabs to which there are subsequently secured the boxing closure
panels.. During overhauling of the boxing the wooden slabs are recovered and withdrawn
while the panels remain integral with the casing.
[0054] FIGURES 10 and 11 show this possibility and are illustrative also of a modification
of the formation of the corners of the walls.
[0055] These latter FIGURES of drawings show the wooden slabs 40 to be recovered, which
are secured to the uprights of the supporting structure and it is likewise possible
to see the non-reusable panels 41 which are temporarily secured to the wooden slabs
40 and which close the boxing.
[0056] The modification relative to the formation of the corners consists in employing,
in the stead of the special angle plates 29, 30 shown in FIGURES 8 and 9, simple angled
rolled sections 43 arranged as can clearly be seen in FIGURES 10 and 11 to latch the
wooden slabs 40 in correspondence with the corners.
[0057] To this purpose, the wooden slabs 40 are caused alternatingly to project beyond the
edges of the corners and a stable union is thus obtained which well withstands the
thrust originated by the concrete casting.
[0058] From the foregoing description anyone skilled in the art is enabled fully to appreciate
the advantages of both the boxing and the erection method according to the invention.
[0059] These advantages mainly reside in the rapidity and the accuracy of the operations
which can be carried out by not particularly trained personnel, the versatility of
the structural elements which are used, which can then be exploited once and once
again for many times and in ever changing situations, the ease of shipment and manipulation
in the building yards of the structural elements in question.
[0060] It is to be noted, also, that the number of structural elements is reduced by virtue
of the possibility of using them for different purposes.
1. A boxing for concrete civil building erection, characterized in that it comprises
a supporting structure for boxing-closure panels (20), composed of assemblable and
interchangeable elements (24) made of stamped bent shaped and perforated sheet metal,
said elements being intended to be removable united together to form a vertical and
horizontal structural skeleton to which the boxing-closure panels (20) are removably
secured.
2. Boxing according to Claim 1, characterized in that said elements (24) comprise
a member adapted indifferently to act as an upright or as a beam, said member consisting
of two L-shaped irons (16, 17) confrontingly mounted spaced apart from one another
with their longer webs (16a, 17a) being connected together by couples of small tubes
(19), whereas the shorter webs (16b, 17b) of the two rolled sections (16, 17) are
coplanarly set and have bores (21) for fastening the boxing-closure panels (20) resting
against the external surfaces of said shorter webs (16b, 17b).
3. Boxing according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises baseboard elements
(15) identical to the upright/beam elements (24) but shorter than the latter and fitted
with a baseplate (18) for resting on a horizontal plane and being secured thereto.
4. Boxing according to Claim 1, characterized in that for supporting the boxing-closure
panels (20) relative to a wall there are provided baseboard elements (15) and upright
elements (24) positioned pairwise and symmetrically arranged in front of one another.
5. Boxing according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upright/beam elements (24)
have a standard length and in that to attain the expected wall height or the desired
beam span, adjustment plates (23) are provided having a plurality of bores formed
therethrough.
6. Boxing according to Claim 1, characterized in that for preparing the corners, external
and internal, of the walls there are used upright elements (24) shifted angularly
90° apart from one another and connected by angle plates (29, 30) on the right and
on the left, which can be coupled together.
7. Boxing according to Claim 6, characterized in that each angle plate (29, 30) comprises
a wall (31) with a straight edge and the opposite edge (32) oblique,from said edges
being bent in opposite directions at right angles two baseplates (31, 33) having each
a couple of bores for fastening, the right angular plate having said baseplates bent
in the opposite direction relative to those of the left angle plate (30), the baseplates
bent from the oblique edge of the wall of a couple of left and right angle plates
being intended to be placed alongside each other and fastened together whereas the
bent baseplates from the straight edge of right and left angle plates coupled together
being intended to respectively be secured to the upright elements (24) shifted by
90°.
8. Boxing according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises Z-shaped takeup
plates (28) the webs of which have setting bores in couples arranged on mutually perpendicular
axial directions.
9. Boxing according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises adjustable tensioning
bars (27) to be inserted between vertical structural elements (24) and horizontal
structural elements.
10. A method of construction of concrete buildings characterized in that provision
is made, at the outset, for mounting a supporting structure for boxing panels composed
of upright elements and beam elements, by following a preselected pattern and presetting
the openings for windows and doors, whereafter provision is made to positioning the
installations for any kind of desired services and the reinforcing irons in the hollow
spaces of the walls and the floors, optionally after having applied beforehand the
panels of a wall surface and the floor, whereafter the boxing closure is proceeded
with and the concrete is cast as a continuous flow first in the outer and inner walls
and then in the floor and possible overhanging structures, the entire exposed surface
being then smooth plastered, whereafter on completion of the concrete hardening the
entire boxing is overhauled and withdrawn and the finishing operations are started.